Once a Bear, Always a Bear - Harry Butler

In the latest instalment of the series, we had the pleasure of catching up with Harry Butler – a talented wicketkeeper-bat who plies his trade for Kenilworth Wardens in the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League - to speak about his early cricketing memories in Kenilworth, the highlights from his time on the Warwickshire pathway as well as his future aspirations in the world of sports journalism .

Here’s what he had to say:

Harry, thank you so much for taking the time to have a chat with us today. It's the classic opening question here at The Bear, so what are your earliest memories of cricket, either playing or watching the game?

When I was about 6 or so, I went to a masterclass at my mums' works family day that was ran by Sir Alastair Cook and Alec Stewart. There’s a good picture of Cook teaching me how to bowl on that day… maybe that's why I ended up becoming a wicket keeper!

You've mentioned two absolute legends of the game right there, who would you say inspired you the most during those formative years of your cricket journey?

My family have never have never been involved in cricket, but I played football in Coventry with Tommy Rex whose family were mad into their cricket. I was about 11 when they told me to go down to Kenilworth Wardens to try it out. Fred’s not let me leave since.

Why did you choose to focus on your wicketkeeping and batting as opposed to becoming a bowler?

I kept a lot growing up so I wouldn’t get bored whilst fielding and so neglected the bowling bit which left me with the bat. As frustrating as it can be, when it goes well, taking 11 opposition players on and making them change their plans to you is a great feeling.

What's your favourite shot to play when you're out there in the middle?

When I’m playing well I love to drive it over extra cover - lets me feel for a moment like I’m a proper player!

Which cricket club did you start out at, and which cricket clubs have you represented over the years?

I started out at Kenilworth Wardens when I was 11 and have always played my club cricket there. Since those days in the junior sides, I've gone on to play for all five senior sides at the club across the Cotswolds, Warwickshire and Birmingham Premier leagues.

Then in county cricket, I played my first Warwickshire representative at U14s and played all the way up to the U18s across the age group and EPP sides. I also went to Durham University after school where I captained the Men’s 1st XI and was Vice President of the cricket club there too. Since Uni, I’ve completed two Australian Summers in Melbourne playing in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association League where I won the flag last year which was a great experience.

Speaking of your experience on the Bears pathway, how did the opportunity to play for Warwickshire first materialise?

I trialled there each year and worked my way through all the Warwickshire pathway starting at a district level at U12, then mainly county B when I was 13 before finally progressing to the main side at 14.

What would you say was the highlight from your time with the Bears?

My first century was with Warwickshire at U14 against Leicestershire, and I don’t think I’ve batted better since! Me and Jacob Bethell put 90 on in that game in what was one of his first games in England while my parents and I were taking him to all his games!

And how do you reflect on your time at Warwickshire?

Playing in the pathway was a serious but fun challenge all the way through, because it allows you to test yourself against the best in the country. I pushed myself hard throughout and definitely benefitted from the coaching even if in the end I wasn’t quite talented enough to make it. It’s great now to pick out players you’ve played with and against and tell stories about before they made it!

What are you getting up to in both a cricket and a wider career sense nowadays?

I’ve just got back from Australia and jumping back into what will be my fifth cricket season in a row which is great fun. Wardens won Division Two of the BDPCL last year, so we’re really excited to get going in the Prem again and up for the challenge and proving some people wrong!

Spending two summers in Australia was also an awesome experience post uni and now that I'm coming home, I’m looking to jump into a career that hopefully will combine my love of cricket and sport and writing too!

Do you have any other interests/hobbies outside of the wonderful game of cricket?

It wouldn’t be possible to answer this question in the current circumstances without mentioning that I’m a Coventry City fan and have absolutely loved following the Sky Blues over the last few years. For those who don't already know, we're going into the Prem next year!

Are there any other interesting facts about you, cricket-related or otherwise, that people might not already know about?

I think a good fact about me is probably that the first game of cricket I ever watched of any standard was Warwickshire winning the 40-over comp in person at Lord's. That was great!

Playing-wise, it’s hard to look past captaining Rugby School and Jacob [Bethell] when he scored a double ton before tea in one of the only recent victories against Marlborough College, which I believe is the oldest continuous cricket fixture in England. In addition to that, I got my history degree from Durham where my dissertation was about cricket being played in British Burma (now Myanmar), which is at least an English language first!

If you were to ask any of my teammates though, they might tell you that most surprising fact of all is that I've got two wickets in the Birmingham League!

And finally Harry, it's a rather profound question to finish on, but what would you say has been the proudest accomplishment of your life to date?

As a quite broad answer related to both cricket and generally life, I’m really proud that year on year I’ve managed to progress somehow.

In cricket, I've moved through different levels and standards each year as best as I could, and also through schools in Coventry, then at Lawrence Sheriff Grammar, Rugby school, Durham university and - most recently - those winters spent in Australia, I’m proud to say I’ve always been moving forward, and I hope that trend continues through adult life!