Alan Butcher shrewdly led Glamorgan between 1989 and 1992, and formed a most effective opening partnership with fellow left-hander Hugh Morris. Their most productive season was in 1990 when the pair shared 11 century opening stands, with Alan amassing 2116 runs, and by scoring 15 fifties, he set a new club record for the most number of Championship half-centuries made during any season.

Alan had joined Glamorgan in 1987 following a highly successful career with Surrey, during which he won one Test cap against India at The Oval in 1979. He had initially joined the Surrey staff in 1972 as a left-arm seamer, but in the mid-1970`s he became John Edrich`s opening partner, and by the 1980`s Alan was one of the most consistent openers on the county circuit.

In 1980 Alan compiled a career-best 216* against Cambridge University at Fenners, whilst in 1984 he scored a century in each innings at The Oval against Glamorgan. He continued to be a prolific run-scorer with Glamorgan, and in both 1989 and 1990 he was the first English batsman to reach a thousand runs for the season. In 1990 he topped the 2,000 mark for the first time in his career, and his thoroughly professional efforts brought him the accolade of being one of Wisden`s Five Cricketers of the Year.

In 1992 Alan sustained a serious calf injury which ultimately led to his retirement from the county game. He subsequently took on coaching jobs with Essex, and subsequently Surrey, for whom he re-appeared in 1998 when the county were badly affected by injuries. On the same day as the 44 year old`s surprise return to first-class cricket, Butcher`s son Mark was opening the batting for England. In 1991 the two had created a county record when they played against each other in the Sunday League match between Glamorgan and Surrey at The Oval. His other son Gary was also on the Glamorgan staff  between 1994 and 1998, whilst his younger two brothers – Ian and Martin – also played first-class cricket.

BUTCHER, Alan Raymond

Born – Croydon, 7^th January 1954

Best performances for Glamorgan:

In first-class cricket – 171* v Warwickshire at Sophia Gardens, 1989; 3/35 v Middlesex at Sophia Gardens, 1987.

In List A cricket – 127 v Yorkshire at Sophia Gardens, 1991; 3/32 v Sussex at Swansea, 1989.

	M	I	NO	RUNS	AV	100	50	CT	ST
First-class	111	192	17	7899	45.14	17	54	54	–
List A	99	96	10	2529	29.40	2	15	21	–

	Balls	M	R	W	AV	5wI	10wM
First-class	904	20	625	15	41.67	–	–
List A	319	2	311	6	51.83	–	–