Ryan Butterworth heads North East

Former Bradninch player Ryan Butterworth, who, it had been hoped would be at Kensham Park for this season’s historic first ever campaign in the top flight, has signed as the professional at New Whitehaven in Cumbria.

The local paper to his new club ran a fascinating article on him –

(Taken from the News & Star)
New Whitehaven cricket professional Ryan Butterworth may never have been to Cumbria in his life – but he has strong family links with the area. The Zimbabwean all-rounder’s father was born in Egremont and went to school at St Bees. And now he is following in his footsteps by returning to the area for the first time – to play cricket for Whitehaven in the North Lancashire League.

“I’ve never been to the area, the furthest North I have played is in Warwickshire, but my Dad was born in Egremont and went to school at St Bees,” he explained.

His family left the UK in his early teenage years as his father got coal mining contracts in South Africa and later on in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, where he settled and has become a very successful businessman there. Ryan was born out in Zimbabwe and took an early interest in sport, especially cricket.

“I started at a very young age and carried on loving the game throughout my school years,” he said.

“I was doing five disciplines of sport for Zimbabwe, rugby, tennis, swimming, triathlon and cricket. At some stage I had to make a decision on one and cricket, in the long run, looked the best option. Our national side was improving every year with the likes of the Streaks, Flowers and Campbells, being a very competitive team, and with the plans of academies etc things looked good.”

Ryan played at national schoolboy level and in 2001 was offered a place in the National Academy, which he accepted. He spent eight months there, playing four internationals against Bangladesh, India, West Indies and Namibia and came to the notice of top scouts.

“I was then offered a national contract with Zimbabwe cricket union and signed that from 2002 - 2004. In 2004 the Zimbabwe government unfortunately started taking over businesses, farms and eventually sport fell into their hands. This meant the top contracted players in Zimbabwe decided to take a stand and leave Zimbabwe cricket, and hoped it would be sorted out, but never did and still looks like it won’t.”

Ryan continued to play cricket, both in the National League in Zimbabwe and in the UK. He was the Zimbabwe National League man of the series back in 2007 for his consistent batting performances. And although he is predominantly a batsman, he is also a useful medium pace bowler, with a few off spinners up his sleeve as well. This year Ryan has qualified as a local player in the UK and he has high hopes for his future.

“I am hoping to get county trials and hopefully a few games in minor county,” he added.

“But for now my focus is with Whitehaven and am looking forward to the start of the season and arriving in the area.”