Butler needs a miracle

Ian Butler has been forced into relying upon medical advances if he is to ever return to return as a fast bowler.

Butler has been suffering from a bulging disc in his lower back for the past 22 months and had considered taking pain-killing injections in order to play as a fast bowler for his domestic side Northern Districts this season.

Following discussions with Northern Districts medical staff it was decided it was not a viable option however.

Butler told the Dominion Post that “There was no point having injections to mask the pain. I didn’t want to risk it for later in life.?

Butler went on to say “It was worth it to wait. If something happens and medical procedures improve, I could be back again. I’m not throwing away all hope of bowling but I’ve just got to be sensible about it.”

Butler was selected as a batsman only during the recent domestic Twenty20 tournament but rolled his arm over with off-spin for captain James Marshall.

Butler’s last international with the Black Caps was in December 2004 when he played the first ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.