Smriti an incredibly graceful player: Butcher
Former England cricketer Mark Butcher discusses his admiration for young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Indian women's cricket star Smriti Mandhana. He reflects on his own career, highlighting his memorable 2001 Test innings against Australia.
Why it matters
It provides expert commentary on the evolution of cricket batting styles and the global appreciation of Indian cricketing talent.
Mark Butcher keeps his word. “I will find you in half an hour,” he says. He sure does.
He says a lot more over the next half an hour. And you are fascinated. He is a sharp analyst of the game, and very articulate.
Earlier this year, his comparison of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s batting style with that of West Indies great Gary Sobers had attracted much attention. “I watched him make that 175 (off 80 balls) in the under-19 Cup final (against England at Harare).
“The incredible long high back-lift, the huge follow-through, the complete circle almost where the bat finishes around…you know, Sobers used to hit a lot of shots with his feet together.”
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