Cricket: Butler makes up with Bracewell

Black Cap Ian Butler says he and coach John Bracewell have no problems with each other after a leaked email recently suggested otherwise.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the damaging email, the fast bowler said yesterday that he had an excellent player-coach relationship with Bracewell.

Though the author of the email was the coach's brother, Brendon Bracewell, Butler felt it was a "sleight" on John to link their comments, The Dominion Post reported.

Brendon Bracewell's scathing attack, which was leaked to various media outlets, ripped into Butler's attitude -- including references to him being "selfish", "pea-hearted"-- and said "he is the sort of character Johnny doesn't want in his team".

Butler regarded those comments as just one man's opinion.

"I've never had a problem with Braces, in fact he's been great for me," he said.

"I think it was a sleight on John that people made the link and no one in the team gave it much credibility.

"I just want to get on with things now and it would be nice to make the news for my bowling rather than what it's been lately."

That opportunity could come as early as Boxing Day when the one-day series against Sri Lanka starts at Eden Park.

Butler said the recent hullabaloo had not affected his confidence or his concentration, and he put his moderate showing for Northern Districts last week, where he finished with match figures of one for 141 against Central Districts, down to "struggling with a couple of minor niggles".

"I'm certainly not worried about what's happened recently. I hardly read the stuff, and it was really only others that mentioned it to me.

"People are entitled to their opinions. I have learned quickly in professional sport that there will always be critics, so I just want to get on with it."

Butler struggled to explain why Brendon Bracewell would be so critical of his make-up.

He said Brendon Bracewell had coached him at Northern Districts under-17 level. They have not spoken to each other since the email came to light on December 10 and that is unlikely to change in the short term.

"He's not on my Christmas card list, but as I said, I've moved on. I just want to play cricket."

Butler's international cricket over the past two months has been limited with just a solitary one-day outing in the win over Australia in Melbourne.

Despite the lack of play, he felt the time spent with the side was vital because of the support he's received from senior players.

He was also heartened by an offer at the weekend from former international Simon Doull to act as a mentor and sounding board.

"I was rapt to hear that. I'm going to look him up over the next couple of days because I rate him highly.

"Chris Cairns is great as well. He's got a 'no fear' perspective on bowling where he encourages you to try things."

Butler is optimistic he will make the playing 11 on Boxing Day despite the knockbacks on the tour to Australia.

With Daryl Tuffey a certainty to lead the attack, Butler and Kyle Mills are probably fighting out the final pace slot.

- NZPA