Six years ago, when England won a desperately tight Test on this ground, Butcher did not realise he and his team-mates had reached the winning line and admitted: "I stood at the crease like a lemon while everyone was celebrating."
But today he knew the situation precisely, embracing fellow Surrey left-hander Thorpe after straightdriving Adam Sanford for the decisive boundary.
It was not all joy for England, however, with fast bowler Simon Jones called before a disciplinary hearing following yesterday's overly aggressive celebration after dismissing Ramnaresh Sarwan.
On the field, today's brief chapter of play was not without drama.
England lost Hussain second ball without a run added to their overnight 71 for two and should have seen Thorpe depart for a duck when he was dropped by keeper Ridley Jacobs during the same Sanford over.
But, thereafter, Butcher and Thorpe knocked off the 28 runs required without bother.
It is 50 years since England last won two Tests in a Caribbean series - and then, under the captaincy of Len Hutton, they could only achieve a share of the spoils.
With another Yorkshire player running the side, these tourists intend to do considerably better. The hard work at Queen's Park Oval had all been done over the first four days and, not surprisingly, there were few locals in the ground this morning.
Everyone anticipated a straightforward ending but Sanford's opening over prompted a minor rethink.
Hussain rightly survived a legbefore appeal first delivery but then thin-edged the second through to keeper Jacobs while trying to drive.
If Thorpe had fallen for a thirdball duck - as he should have done - then England might have looked a little twitchy.
Instead, Jacobs inexplicably went for a snick with only his left glove when he could have used two and a perfectly acceptable chance went begging.
Butcher played out a maiden to Corey Collymore. Any hint of tension was lifted, though, with Thorpe cracking three boundaries - cut, clip and hook - during Sanford's next over.
Then Butcher took over and the end came swiftly and sweetly.
