Reason why West Indies players are wearing black armbands in 2nd ODI

West Indies registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win against India in the first ODI of the three-match series. Chasing a target of 287, Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope anchored the West Indies’ innings by delivering match-winning performances. Hetmyer smashed 139 runs off 106 deliveries to steer his side to the triumph. He was joined by Shai Hope, who remained unbeaten on 102 while guiding his side to the target.

After gaining a 1-0 lead, Kieron Pollard and his troops are scheduled to play India in the second ODI of the series at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Ahead of the second ODI, West Indies cricket team will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for the 1960s great Basil Butcher, who died on Monday.

“One of the West Indies greats, Basil Butcher, who was also a teammate of Sir Gary Sobers, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd has passed away in the early hours this morning (Indian time). As a mark of respect, the West Indies team will be wearing black armbands in the 2nd ODI,” team manager Philip Spooner told the media ahead of the second ODI as quoted by IndiaTV.

Basil Butcher passed away after a prolonged illness

“Sad news for the West Indies Cricket Family. Former Guyana and West Indies batsman Basil Butcher died earlier today (Monday) in Florida, according to his son Basil Butcher jr.,” CWI had stated in a tweet.

WI News – A statement by CWI President Ricky Skerritt on the passing of former West Indies Batsman Basil Butcher
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/LS2XQA99DQ

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 17, 2019

Butcher passed away after a prolonged illness, Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed on Tuesday. He was 86. Butcher made his Test debut in 1958 against India. Hailing from Guyana, Butcher made his debut against India and played 44 Tests till 1969.

He played 44 Tests for the West Indies, amassing 3104 runs with seven centuries and 16 fifties. In his debut series against India, the right-hander gathered 486 runs at an average of above 69, including two tons and three fifties.

One of the best innings of Butcher came against England, where he smashed 133 at the Lord’s in 1963. However, he came to know about his wife having a miscarriage during his innings. He was also an occasional leg-spinner. His best bowling performance was against England at the Port-of-Spain in 1967-8. Butcher was also named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1970.

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