| Player: | HR Butt |
An excellent wicket-keeper who represented Sussex for over twenty years, Harry Butt also played three Tests on the 1895/96 tour of South Africa. He was a short nimble man, and despite his 274 stumpings for Sussex was probably stronger standing back, excelling at catching the ball. Well-liked, he had a high reputation for fairness. He performed tidily in his three Tests, letting through few byes, and making a few runs at number eleven.
He became a highly respected umpire, who officiated in six Tests. Quiet, firm and well liked, on his retirement the county captains asked the Secretary of the MCC to write to him on their behalf expressing their regret. He died less than two years after umpiring England v Australia in 1926.
(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dave Liverman)