Cricket: Butler chooses England coach over Hadlee's tour

Fast bowler Ian Butler has turned his back on Sir Richard Hadlee's New Zealand 'A' cricket tour of Sri Lanka to train with the England bowling coach.

New Zealand 'A' manager and national selector Hadlee confirmed Butler was selected for next month's tour but withdrew on the grounds he wasn't yet at full fitness.

It is understood Butler, who is nearing full fitness after being sidelined by a bulging disc in his back last season, is still angered at losing his New Zealand Cricket (NZC) contract in June and preferred to play club cricket in England.

Rather than work with New Zealand's great fast bowler, Butler has sought the technical guidance of Australian Troy Cooley, the man credited with turning around the fortunes of England paceman Steve Harmison last year.

Hadlee said Butler -- who couldn't be contacted today -- explained that he didn't want to be rushed back too soon from injury.

"Definitely, it would have been ideal for him to bowl alongside Daryl Tuffey and Chris Martin in Sri Lanka," Hadlee said.

"But we respected his decision.

"That's good if he's got somebody he can go to, a guy (Cooley) he can trust to work with. He certainly worked wonders with Harmison."

Butler, 23, hasn't played a test since last October's tour of Bangladesh, and has 24 wickets from eight tests at 36.83, including a best of six for 46 against Pakistan.

His disillusionment began when he was a surprise omission from the Brisbane test against Australia in November despite some sharp leadup spells.

Then came the leaked email from coach John Bracewell's brother Brendon which labelled him "pea-hearted", before his axing from the contract list in favour of veteran allrounder Chris Harris.

"I was involved with the side for nine months out of the last 12 until I was injured so I got the idea I was in their plans," a shattered Butler said at the time.

Butler holds a British passport but has maintained he still has a desire to play for New Zealand again.

One of only two genuine pace bowlers in New Zealand alongside Shane Bond, Butler said after missing a NZC contract he was "flooded" by offers to play in England.

He is likely to play for invitation side Lashings in coming weeks alongside Harris, but will return for the domestic season for Northern Districts.

Hadlee selected the fresh-faced youngster for the England series in 2002, and still held out hope for Butler.

"He's had a kick up the backside, a wakeup call and he was very disappointed," Hadlee said.

"He's shown some very encouraging signs and I still think, potentially, he has a huge future in our game but he needs to get some things right.

"If we can get him and Shane Bond back bowling together it gives us the punch we need."

Hadlee said Butler needed to adjust to international lengths but retain his pace in the 140km/h region.

"Danny Morrison was the same some years ago, he would bowl too full or too short. Then all of a sudden you find it."

- NZPA