Mark Richardson: Returning Butler our best quick

In the last two one-dayers against India, Ian Butler has been New Zealand's standout seam bowler. It is most probably because he has nothing to lose.

He must be delighted just to be back out there on the international stage after his career was derailed by the dreaded stress fractures. I've no doubt his enthusiasm has been the reason for his comparative success.

Such is the ferocity of these Indian batsmen against the Kiwi attack, any self-doubt would be detrimental.

Butler would feel under pressure for sure but the pressure that comes with international cricket is tolerable when you are feeling lucky to just be there.

'Lucky to be there' is a little unfair on Butler because he's earned his recall but not in the fashion he and many thought.

Some people are simply born cricketers and will not let go of the game until they have achieved the destiny they feel the game holds for them.

Butler burst on to the scene as a young tearaway who bowled with gusto and, with his raw tools, he had a huge future ahead of him - then his body gave way.

However, born cricketers do not give up and Butler found himself exploring his batting ability and finding success.

He possibly was not given the batting opportunities he deserved at Northern Districts and so transferred - as many have - to Otago looking for a fair go.

While the strength of the Volts meant he was not able to play simply as a batsman, his allround ability was not overlooked.

A few months later, that ability was also not overlooked by the national selectors and he fitted perfectly into their multi-dimensional selection policy for twenty20 cricket.

However, Butler is a great example of how leopards do not change their spots. His enthusiasm for the game and natural inclination to compete has seen him once more charge in and bowl with gusto and he finds himself a strike bowler once more.

Not many get a second chance like this. This is the life Butler has mapped out for himself and I do not expect him to waste it. All I hope is that his fractured skeleton is prepared to give the 140km/h Ian Butler an extended second go.

Butler has been a shining light in a bowling attack under siege and one that desperately needs help in the form of either Jeetan Patel or Nathan McCullum.

With Brendon McCullum unable to keep wicket, it's hard to play the extra bowler but, with McCullum fully fit, Grant Elliott at six is plenty of batting.

Actually, no amount of batting will be enough if the bowling cannot restrict India and Daniel Vettori needs more options available to him. I do not buy in to the theory that an offspinner is simply cannon fodder to Indians.