DON ARNOTT BACK FOR RHODESIA?

Fred Cleary's Column (Sunday Mail, 10 September 1967)

Don Arnott, the former Rhodesian wicket-keeper, may make a serious attempt to return to first-class cricket.

After his fine spell of keeping when leading the Districts against Mashonaland at Norton last weekend, Arnott told me: ``I've never really retired from first-class cricket. I just faded out of the picture when I went farming.''

Obviously pleased with his own form and the encouragement given him by his own players and other members of the cricket fraternity who were at the match, Arnott added: ``I'm still as keen as ever on playing, and although I now live 80 miles out at Raffingora, I should be able to motor in to town each weekend and play for my old club, Salisbury Sports, if they want me.''

Salisbury want him all right, and so may Rhodesia, if he can produce the brilliance that earned him a regular place in the national team for years, a non-travelling reserve position to John Waite for a Test against Ian Craig's Australians 10 years ago, and a rating as one of the finest wicket-keepers in Southern Africa never to play in a Test.

At 31 Don Arnott is still young enough to warrant consideration. If he does decide to move back into senior cricket the national selectors - who are elected at today's annual Rhodesia Cricket Union meeting - will thus have the choice of three wicket-keepers for the coming Currie Cup season.

Tony de Caila, of Bulawayo, took over from him some seasons ago, then last season the young Salisbury Alexandra Club player Howie Gardiner stormed into the team after several thrilling displays of scintillating batting, particularly against Bobby Simpson's Australians.

However, de Caila is the better keeper and the feeling is that Gardiner might have to earn his place in the side this year as a batsman.

And now that Arnott - a fine bat himself - may become available the position becomes even more complicated. One extremely experienced league wicket-keeper commented: ``If Don decides he wants to play for Rhodesia again there should be nothing to stop him. For sheer technical brilliance he is still the best wicket-keeper in Southern Africa - and I'm not forgetting Denis Lindsay.''

The possible return of Arnott is yet another piece of the interesting kaleidoscope of events which is taking place as summer moves in and cricket dominates the sporting scene. [In the event, Don Arnott never did challenge for a return to first-class cricket.]

Peter Carlstein, the splendid Springbok batsman and in the view of many the finest outfielder in Southern Africa after Colin Bland, is currently in Salisbury with a view to settling here, while Bulawayo's dashing young batsman Brian Davison is moving to the capital, where his game can only improve in stronger league company.

And if the runs come his way, Davison and Old Georgians' Jono Clarke will be pushing hard for places in the national side.

And now that Colin Bland is leading the Mashonaland Invitation side against Wilf Isaacs' team in Salisbury next weekend the question of the Rhodesian captaincy comes firmly into focus.

This Isaacs match is a perfect opportunity for Bland to show his capabilities of leadership, although he should not be judged solely on one game. Tony Pithey's willingness to play under Bland in this game indicates his character; he is prepared to play when asked no matter what the circumstances.

It was pleasing to see Ray Gripper and Nick Frangos get runs against the Districts. Frangos scored his second innings 25 against bowling that was not of the highest calibre, but nevertheless he produced several fine shots and appeared to have his confidence back after last year's disastrous season.

The same applies to Ray Gripper (45 not out) whose unlucky experiences last year might have driven another player into retirement.

Howie Gardiner (72 and 41 not out) went in first wicket down and played somewhat out of character, obviously aware that his ambition for senior cricket lies in his batting rather than wicket-keeping. He was patient, chose his shots with care, had some luck and hit several scintillating drives.

It is on such men that Rhodesia may have to rely this year in the fight back to the A Section. Rhodesia's batsmen must produce the glut of runs that will give our best bowler, spinner Jack du Preez, the freedom to get at batsmen from Griquas, Transvaal B, Western Province, Natal B and Free State.

At this stage it looks as if the Rhodesian attack will have to be built round the Springbok leg-spinner, for the seam gap left by Lawrence and Partridge has yet to be filled. Huntsman Williams and Neville Williams did not measure up last season and Eddie Parker lost the fire he had the previous year.

Several younger seam bowlers are coming through the ranks and it will be interesting to see how the talented Roy McLoughlin fares against Tiger Lance, Roy McLean and the other experienced visitors next weekend.

Building an attack around a slow bowler is not new. South Africa's key bowler in the fifties was Hugh Tayfield, but that great off-spinner was backed by batsmen who got the runs and fielders who held their catches. The Rhodesian team this year must try to emulate those players.

Finally, one hopes the Salisbury Police wicket will play better this season. Last season it was so slow it was a disgrace. Fortunately the RCU and the Police are aware of this and a great deal of work is being done to produce a faster strip.

RHODESIA NEEDS OFF-SPIN AND PACE BOWLER

Sportlight by Cecil Whittaker (Friday 22 September 1967)

Rhodesia's cricket badly needs an off-spin bowler and a seamer with real pace to balance their Currie Cup side. The batting is sound, and with plenty of competition in this department, on-form men can be selected.

And it is obvious, judging from the match against Wilf Isaacs' XI, that Rhodesian batsmen will play with more authority this season. This, in fact, is vital, for the Rhodesian attack will need to bowl to good totals, at least until the younger bowlers gain in experience and ability.

What seam bowlers Rhodesia has at present, Eddie Parker excluded, are not yet ready for first-class cricket. But in a few years' time there could be an abundance of good seamers; and that applies to spin bowlers too.

Among the seamers who are to be considered this season are Huntsman Williams, Neville Williams, Peter MacKenzie, Brian Bennett, Brian Baxter, Brian Wishart, Vernon Jackson and a few up-and-coming schoolboys.

Parker could be Rhodesia's shock bowler, to be used in short spells. He can bowl quickly and economically, but will have to develop more accuracy. He must dispel any ideas at this stage about being a stock bowler; those are plentiful.

Jack du Preez, the Springbok leg-spinner, could be supported by off-spinner Mike Burton who, I hear, will probably be available at the end of the month. Burton played for Eastern Province last season and did well, especially against the Australians and the Rhodesians.

These two could carry the Rhodesian spin attack for years to come.

Rhodesia has always had good wicket-keepers, and this season is no exception. Tony de Caila and Howie Gardiner will again be competing for this important berth, and I would not be at all surprised to see them both play; Gardiner is Rhodesia's most forceful bat and a fine fielder.

With Gardiner, Brian Davison, Jack du Preez and Colin Bland, if his knee mends, and middle-order batsmen, runs should be plentiful. And there is good batting to come, like Parker, Roy McLoughlin (who can also open the batting) and Ken Tonkin. There is, in fact, no 'tail'.

To open the batting, Rhodesia has experienced men in Ray Gripper, Nick Frangos and John McPhun. The number three position presents a bit of a problem at the moment, but there are possibilities.

I would exclude Tony Pithey from this position, as I feel he always bats a lot better at number four or five. And when Pithey makes runs, the rest follow suit.

There is no reason why men like McLoughlin or Tonkin, a left-hander, should not be groomed for number three. This could be a good long-range policy. There is nothing revolutionary about this; class seam bowlers have successfully batted high in the order for all countries playing international and provincial cricket.

BLAND HOPEFUL FOR THAT KNEE

Sunday Mail, 17 September 1967

A decision on Colin Bland's immediate cricket future will be taken during the coming week after the Springbok batsman's left knee has had a thorough examination (writes Fred Cleary).

Bland said yesterday the Salisbury surgeon who is attending to the knee would not make any decision until he has seen it after a thorough workout, probably on Tuesday.

He advised Bland to rest the leg and not play in the current Invitation XI v Wilf Isaacs' team game at the Salisbury Police Ground.

Bland was to have led the Invitation team, and how he handled the players might have decided his chances of captaining Rhodesia during the coming Currie Cup season. Instead, Tony Pithey, who has captained Rhodesia for the past seven years, leads the team.

Bland first damaged the knee years ago at rugby, and it suffered again when he crashed into a picket fence when playing against Australia in the First Test at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, last December. He played in no further Tests and in January he had a cartilage operation.

During the winter he worked hard to build up the knee again, and he flew to England for the World XI matches during the past three weeks, apparently fully recovered.

But, during the first match against Sussex at Hove, he felt the knee weaken while scoring his splendid undefeated innings of 132. For the remaining matches with the Rothman's World side Bland had little opportunity to bat and he fielded at slip or third man instead of his customary cover position.

When he flew home to Salisbury on Friday Bland carried an X-ray plate of the damaged knee and immediately saw his surgeon.

The whole cricketing world will hope that Bland's injury is not too serious, for if the knee does not heal fully it could mean the premature eclipse of a cricketing era.

Bland is optimistic now and believes rest may solve his immediate worry. [Note: it did.] In fact he talked most enthusiastically yesterday about the coming season and how much he would like to captain Rhodesia.

``I would enjoy the responsibility,'' he said. ``In my new job as national coach I devote my full time to the game and work on the youngsters who might be coming into the team this season.''

Yet in discussing the captaincy Bland was quick to add his praise of Tony Pithey.

Pithey has yet to be sacked and may still lead the team, but if he is asked to make way for Bland the latter would very much want him in the side.

He said: ``As far as I'm concerned Tony is still one of the finest batsmen in Africa and I will always consider it a privilege and pleasure to play with him in any capacity.'' And anyone who saw Pithey's polished innings yesterday will agree.

Footnote: Bland has a faultless career as a captain. He has only led one first-class side. That was South African Universities against Western Province. The students won in two days.

PITHEY IS BOWING OUT

Monday 6 November 1967

Rhodesian cricket captain and Springbok opening bat Tony Pithey is nearing the end of a grand cricket career, and it was learnt yesterday that he will more than likely only be available for one Currie Cup match this season - the first, against Natal B at the Police Ground towards the end of this month.

Pithey, who ends his school-mastering career at the end of the current term, has gained a degree in economics and has accepted a commercial offer here in Salisbury.

ROB ULLYETT WANTS TO BOWL AGAIN

Fred Cleary's Column (Sunday Mail, 19 November 1967)

Rob Ullyett is keen to bowl again. After concentrating for five years as a specialist forcing batsman, this former all-rounder is now quite prepared to be considered once more in this dual role.

This news must be welcomed by the Rhodesian selectors, Alwyn Pichanick, David Lewis and Joe Partridge, when they sit down today and name the national side to play Natal B in Salisbury next weekend.

There is a shortage of experienced bowlers at all levels and all departments in the country, and if he can recapture his old skill as a medium-pace bowler then Robert Bassett Ullyett will be more than an asset to a Rhodesian side which is out to win every match outright this vital Currie Cup season.

Ullyett is 31 now, which is not old for a bowler of his pace and economy of action. It will probably take some time to regain his old rhythm, but if he does opposing batsmen could be in for a worrying time.

Ullyett first came into the Rhodesian team as a bowler against Eastern Province 10 years ago, and a year later shattered a powerful Transvaal side at the Salisbury Police Ground by taking seven for 59. And that included men of the calibre of Springboks Ken Funston, John Waite and Peter Carlstein.

But a chipped bone, torn muscles and overstrain in his right shoulder through possibly too much cricket, rugby and hockey affected his bowling, and after an operation in 1962 Ullyett gave it up and settled down to become one of the most aggressive and attractive batsmen on the subcontinent.

On his day one of the best hookers in cricket, Ullyett still retains his love for batting and with current league form of 328 runs, an average of 82.00 including an undefeated 130, he is once more an automatic choice for the No 3 place.

And therein lies one of the problems facing the selectors - there are so many experienced batsmen around who are right in form.

The form man at the moment is, of course, Peter Carlstein. Since he joined Salisbury Alexandra at the start of the season this former Rest star's scores have read: 134 not out, 14, 39, 136 and 83 not out last weekend. This puts his league aggregate up to 406 and an average of 135.33.

So he walks into the team as certainly as if the great Pollock himself moved north.

Captain-apparent Colin Bland, and regrettably Tony Pithey for this game only, constitute the recognised other middle-order batting, with leg-spinner Jack du Preez nicely placed at around No 7 to play merry hell with possibly a tired attack.

But first let us return to the vital opening batting positions. John McPhun has so far enjoyed a glorious league season in Bulawayo and has called out loudly for his place again in the side. But will the selectors choose him over Ray Gripper and Nick Frangos?

True, McPhun is getting runs, but with respect to Bulawayo league players, one must realise that outside possibly two clubs the standard of bowling is pretty low in that area and thus McPhun's figures could be flattering.

Of course, his fine second innings 70 against Mashonaland 'A' last Sunday could be considered proof that he has earned his recall, but do not bank on it.

Ray Gripper is too good a batsman, with more technical equipment than McPhun, to be ignored, and Nick Frangos' 63 and 43 last weekend when leading the Mashonaland side did much for this player.

In fact, his most impressive leadership, thoughtful approach and polished batsmanship has now possibly earmarked Nick Frangos for a more interesting future than it appeared at times last year. {In fact he soon emigrated to Natal and never played first-class cricket again.]

The wicket-keeping position should go to Howie Gardiner. Or should it? He is a spectacular batsman who can be a match-winner and crowd puller (a vital factor this year), but will the selectors overlook him for the better wicket-keeper in Tony de Caila?

I have a preference for Gardiner, but if de Caila gets the call do not be surprised.

Trying to anticipate the selectors' thinking, I can hear them saying that, with our bowling possibly being below strength, the Rhodesian team must guarantee as far as possible making the most of every opportunity when in the field.

De Caila's superior keeping would help to ensure this, and one must also bear in mind that de Caila may not be a Gardiner, but he can bat.

Eddie Parker has been a stock bowler for Rhodesia in the past, but this year he has been told to open and bowl flat out, utilise his great strength and height and get used to the new ball.

This policy has been adopted because there isn't an experienced fast bowler of note while there are a number of useful medium-paced men.

If the selectors want only one other opening bowler they will probably settle for a much-improved Brian Baxter. Yet they could want another seamer and call on Ken Tonkin.

Then, if they want an additional slow man, they could look at off-spinners Derek Townshend or Derek Hinde.

Noel Peck, the young Bulawayo seamer who has come into the reckoning this season, has a good action and I'm told bowls his outswingers with intelligence. But this poor fielder and weak batsman may need to gain more experience before being let loose in this vital Currie Cup season.

The team could read: Ray Gripper, Nick Frangos, Rob Ullyett, Peter Carlstein, Tony Pithey, Colin Bland, Jack du Preez, Howie Gardiner (or Tony de Caila), Eddie Parker, Brian Baxter, Ken Tonkin or Derek Hinde.

But whatever side is chosen I hope we see from Colin Bland's men an attractive combination which is willing to play forceful and entertaining cricket.

I don't mean bashing the ball willy-nilly and striving for sixes all the time. That isn't cricket, it's foolishness. But audacious, courageous and intelligent cricket is another matter.

Rhodesian cricket sank to the depths of despair last year, not because we lost all our matches, but we lost when we had the talent to do so much better.

Fortunately none are more aware of the necessity to win back the confidence of the Rhodesian public than our officials and leading players. A wave of dedication and determination has ripped through the ranks.

NATAL WILL HAVE A TOUGH MATCH - McGLEW

>From Darrell Thomson (Sunday Mail, 19 November 1967)

Natal will field a good, well balanced team, but are possibly a little unlucky in coming up against the most formidable side in the 'B' Section of the competition in the opening match of the season.

These are Jackie McGlew's impressions of Natal's chances in the opening Currie Cup cricket match against Rhodesia in Salisbury next weekend. McGlew will manage the Natal team.

``This will be by far Natal's toughest match of the season and we will have our work cut out in not only containing batsmen such as Bland, Pithey, Carlstein, but also in coping with the Rhodesian attack, which will include Test spinner Jack du Preez,'' he said.

``To add to Natal's problems I rank Gripper and Frangos as possibly the best pair - as a pair - of opening batsmen in either section of the Currie Cup competition.'' Added McGlew: ``My respect for the Rhodesian side does not mean that I think they cannot be beaten. If anyone can beat them this season I think it will be Natal.''

McGlew's assessment of the prospects reflects the general opinion of critics in Natal, who have a high regard for the standard of Rhodesian cricket. It is felt here that the Rhodesians were a little unlucky in being relegated to the 'B' Section this season.

RHODESIAN TEAM TO PLAY NATAL

By Len Brown (Monday 20 November 1967)

Colin Bland was yesterday named as captain of the Rhodesian cricket team to play Natal B in the first Currie Cup fixture of the season here, to be played at the Police Ground starting next Saturday. With so much talent around, the team not unnaturally contains one or two surprises.

The team reads: Bland (capt), Baxter, Carlstein, de Caila, du Preez, Gripper, Parker, Noel Peck, Pithey, Townshend and Ullyett. 12th man, Brian Davison.

To accommodate an extra bowler, only one opening batsman has been chosen - Ray Gripper. His opening partner could be either Ullyett or Pithey.

The attack consists of three pace bowlers in Parker, Peck and Baxter, and two spinners, du Preez and Townshend. Peck, who played his first game for Matabeleland last weekend and took four for 66, apparently took just 20 overs to persuade the selectors he was Currie Cup material.

And with Eddie Parker nowhere near international bowling form this season, there must be several bowlers wondering just what they have to do to make the Rhodesian side.

And there will be hundreds of Rhodesian cricket fans wondering how it is that an attacking wicket-keeper batsman of the calibre of Howie Gardiner can be left out. There's probably no Currie Cup province that could afford that luxury. Maybe that's why we're in the B Zone.

WILLIAMS COMES IN

Thursday 23 November 1967

The Rhodesian selectors announced last night that Neville Williams had been named to replace Noel Peck, of Bulawayo, who is on the injured list, in the side to meet Natal B in the junior Currie Cup cricket match starting at the Salisbury Police Ground on Saturday.

Williams, a member of the Alex Sports Club, is no stranger to the Rhodesian side, and this old campaigner will bring some extra know-how into a team that faces a youthful combination under the management of Jackie McGlew.

McGLEW GIVES A QUIET WARNING

Saturday 25 November 1967

``We might not have any so-called stars in this side, but there isn't a team that tries harder,'' was the quietly spoken warning offered to the Rhodesian team by Natal B manager Jackie McGlew while his team was loosening up at the Police Ground yesterday afternoon in readiness for their Currie Cup B Zone cricket match starting there this morning.

And in my book, McGlew, who has probably put the skids under more sides than any other captain on the Currie Cup circuit, doesn't have to do more than offer a quiet warning to any side.

This team of his is packed with all-rounders, including four seamers, two off-spinners and a leg-spinner, and bats almost all the way down the order.

Spearheading the attack is Graham Pistorius, who bowled at a lively pace yesterday, and is said to be able to move the new ball considerably.

And there could be problems for the Rhodesian batsmen in the leg-spinners of Freddie Palmer who last year skippered this Natal B side. He turned the ball sharply yesterday and revealed a most useful googly too.

Skipper Grayson Heath, on his third trip up here with Natal teams, is one of four left-hand batsmen in the side and, said McGlew with a quiet chuckle: ``IO hope your bowlers don't mind these 'molly handers', for three of them follow each other at four, five and six in the batting order.''

Another left hander is David Phillips, who has been in and out of Natal sides for several seasons, and hits the ball with real power.

He's also a brilliant gully fielder, and a short while ago turned tennis professional coach.

If there's any movement in this pitch during this match, one who could worry the Rhodesian batsmen is tall former leg-spin bowler Neville Ireland, who now bowls medium-paced leg cutters.

The pitch looked hard and fast yesterday afternoon, with just a bit more grass than we have seen on many occasions in the past.

In the early hours anyway, there could be something in it for the new-ball bowlers of either side.

And with this in mind Rhodesians will welcome the fact that Tony Pithey, playing his last game for his country, will be opening the innings with Ray Gripper.

If Rhodesia bats first, Pithey's experience and fine technique could be in demand in the first hour or so.

If Natal, as they have stated, consider this their hardest match on the tournament, it must follow that this could be Rhodesia's hardest game, except that they enjoy the advantage of playing on the Police Ground, which is well known to most of them.

For the past two days they have been putting in some pretty intensive practice, with all the batsmen getting in a good half hour's stint in each session.

All are showing their best form, with Bland, Ullyett and Gripper full of confidence and good strokes.

This is one of the strongest Rhodesian batting sides we've had in years, and if they can only get their runs in good time it will be an added help to the bowlers, who will find far less assistance on this pitch than they get on most league pitches.

Two of the bowlers, seamer Brian Baxter and off-spinner Derek Townshend, will be playing in their first Currie Cup games possibly their first match over three days - which in itself will be a test of their ability, apart from the state of the pitch.

Good news for Rhodesians is the fact that Eddie Parker has been bowling at his best in nets this week, both in pace and in direction. He's the spearhead of the attack and could be called upon to do more than his usual share of bowling.

One thing is certain. The Rhodesian attack is going to have one of the best fielding sides in Southern Africa backing them up in the field, and that should be some comfort.

DU PREEZ OUT - PULLED MUSCLE

Sunday Mail, 26 November 1967

Jack du Preez, the Springbok and Rhodesian leg-spin bowler, dropped out of the Rhodesian team yesterday morning after failing a fitness test.

He pulled a muscle in the small of his back in training on Thursday, and hopes that he would be fit were dashed yesterday morning when he tried to bowl at the nets.

He was replaced by the 12th man, batsman Brian Davison, with Salisbury batsman Jono Clarke coming into the reserve position.

CARLSTEIN SHOWS THE WAY

By Fred Cleary (Sunday Mail, 26 November 1967)

Colin Bland's rejuvenated Rhodesian cricket team moved into a comfortable position against Natal B yesterday in their opening B Section Currie Cup match at Salisbury's Police Ground. With Peter Carlstein batting with all the assurance that one expects of a seasoned Test player, and enough good batting to come, Rhodesia should take complete control of this most interesting match by lunch today.

Natal were bundled out for a modest 211 on a good wicket in only 252 minutes, and in the 135 minutes before the close Rhodesia had replied with 117 for three.

Thus, the home team are 94 behind, with seven wickets in hand. And, as Carlstein and Ray Gripper showed in two delightful innings, runs can be taken off this coastal team if one marries correctness with a bold heart. Rhodesia should have little trouble in forging ahead.

It was easy to understand why Carlstein has dominated league cricket in Mashonaland this season. His eye is sure, his judgment impeccable, and courage boundless.

There must be Spanish blood in his ancestry, as he revels in playing the ball late off his body and round to leg with the guile and style of a veteran matador teasing a bull.

He has scored only 36 so far, but unless his former colleagues grab his wicket-keeper early today, I fear they are in for a torrid time.

Carlstein's audacious play rescued Rhodesia from what might have developed into a dangerous situation.

Ray Gripper - batting like his old self - and Tony Pithey had started well, putting on a confident 44 for the first wicket. And then Pithey, of all people, played a horrible shot, bestraddling the wicket and being baffled completely by a turning ball from McDonald, and had his stumps scattered.

Then a subdued Rob Ullyett fell for five, Gripper somewhat foolishly ran himself out and, with three down for 86, a crisis loomed.

Then Carlstein and his skipper, Bland, saw out play, and are firmly placed to dictate the course of what, so far, has been a most interesting match.

Natal's batsmen flattered, only to tail off so disappointingly.

When Rhodesia's best bowler, Jack du Preez, withdrew through injury and Grayson Heath won a good toss, the visitors had reason to smile. A good beginning.

And Bruce Groves and Rolie Ireland sent them away with a most sensible opening partnership, playing with caution, but always looking for runs.

Rhodesia's bowling was embarrassingly unimpressive at the start with neither Eddie Parker nor Brian Baxter finding accuracy, sustained length or hostility, and the Natal men maintained a comfortable run-a-minute rate.

The Neville Williams, a late replacement for the injured Peck, swung the game Rhodesia's way with two wickets in his eighth over.

A man who does not like the new ball, Williams was called on early to try his medium-paced cutters. Initially he took a caning, conceding 25 runs in his first five overs. But as the ball got rougher so did the game for the Natal men.

Bowling slower and bringing the ball in off the wicket, Williams trapped Groves (46) at 82 with the first ball of his eighth over, allowed newcomer Groom a four, and then brought a ball in late the best of the day - to make a mess of his stumps with his sixth delivery.

Ireland had run himself out unnecessarily after a fine 35, and now Natal were in trouble. But Heath, a stylish, compact player, and young Phillips came together for a sensible fourth-wicket stand.

While this pair stayed Natal's hopes remained. But then five minutes from lunch Heath was held in the covers by Baxter off Parker. The fourth wicket had realised 51 runs.

The last six wickets fell for only 70 runs and Rhodesia still had a good part of the day to chase their total of 211.

But although Neville Williams bowled well and off-spinner Derrick Townshend had a reasonable debut, one should put Rhodesia's ability to bundle out Natal for such a modest score in a proper perspective.

The fact still remains that our bowling is still so impoverished after the departure of Lawrence, Partridge, David Pithey and no du Preez that it needs a blood transfusion.

Certainly this Rhodesian attack would not have dismissed an A Section side for such a low total, and a large score must be reached today to ensure a home success.

No one will be more aware of this than Bland, who came out of his first day's baptism as captain with the highest possible praise.

This field-placing was splendid, his own fielding back to its superb best, and even though they were over-keen at times, the Rhodesian fielders positively sparkled with energy and reflected a will and purpose which has been missing for some seasons.

And Natal, too, played a brand of positive and bright cricket that did them credit. They always looked for runs, fielded energetically, and seamers Pistorius and McDonald bowled exceptionally well in the late afternoon.

PETER CARLSTEIN, YOU BEAUTY

By Cecil Whittaker (Monday 27 November 1967)

Well done, Peter Carlstein! The former Natalian and Springbok, playing in his first game for Rhodesia, scored 125 to help the home province to a first innings lead of 98 runs over his former team, Natal B, on the second day of their Currie Cup B Zone cricket match at the Police Ground, Salisbury, yesterday. Rhodesia, who dismissed Natal B for 211 runs on Saturday, scored 309 runs yesterday, and at the close of play had taken one Natal wicket for 10 runs.

Carlstein, who batted delightfully and most responsibly, was the first man post-war to score a century in his first appearance for Rhodesia. The only other man to do this was A H Pattison, who hit 128 against Free State in December 1931.

Carlstein's century was chanceless. On Saturday he scored his first 33 runs in even time, but he was a lot more subdued yesterday, reaching his fifty in 115 minutes and his century in 225 minutes.

When he was finally bowled out, taking a tired swing at a ball from Nicholson, he had been at the wicket 268 minutes and hit 16 beautiful fours.

It was Carlstein and his skipper, Colin Bland, who continued the Rhodesian innings yesterday morning to some tight bowling to well placed defensive fields.

Both men took their time to settle down, and just when it looked as though they were going to take the bowling apart, Bland was given out leg before off Ireland for 32 runs in 77 minutes.

This was a bad blow for Rhodesia, as these two had added 63 for the fourth wicket, with Bland doing all the attacking and Carlstein a bit subdued.

But Brian Davison took up where Bland left off, helped raise the 150 in 185 minutes and then hit pace bowler Pistorius for two scorching fours.

Carlstein and Davison added 50 in 56 minutes, raised the 200 in 239 minutes, and a four by Carlstein saw Rhodesia pass their opponents' total in 249 minutes - Natal's innings lasted 252 minutes.

Davison celebrated with a big six off pace bowler Nicholson, and at this stage the weather turned cool and rain was in the air. Davison was going well, but when he tried to lift Nicholson out of the ground, he was well held by Grayson Heath for 47, which included seven fours and two sixes, in 78 bright minutes.

He and Carlstein had added 82 runs in 78 minutes and the 3000 crowd were well content with the game.

Then Eddie Parker joined Carlstein and rain started to fall. Parker was out caught behind off McDonald ten minutes before lunch, and soon after that the players left the field when the rain got harder.

Lunch was taken at 241 for six, and play restarted at 1.35, only 20 minutes being lost.

Tony de Caila joined Carlstein, and after Carlstein had raised the 250 in 295 minutes with another flashing four, Natal took the new ball and the game literally died.

Carlstein was given a big ovation when he reached his century with his 12th four, but that was the only thing of interest for a solid hour, during which de Caila scored three runs - these came in the 47th minute of his innings - before he was caught behind off Nicholson.

And this was at a stage when Rhodesia needed quick runs to consolidate their first innings lead and stand a chance of going for an outright victory. How Howie Gardiner would have relished this position!

But it was not to be. Carlstein went trying to force the pace, and then came the rain again, shortly before tea with the total 298 for eight.

The game did not start again until 4.48 pm, and with Townshend and Williams batting, one got the impression that the batsmen were not too keen to score runs, while Natal did not appear over-keen to dismiss them.

But Townshend became diminutive Wicket-keeper Young's fourth victim when he was caught off McDonald for five, and finally Williams was also caught off McDonald, leaving Natal 12 minutes' batting.

So on the last day of play Natal are 88 behind with nine wickets standing, and an outright victory for Rhodesia will be a mighty tough task.

The Natal bowlers are to be congratulated, and they were well supported by their fielders. McDonald and Nicholson, in particular, toiled long and nobly, and between them took eight wickets with their seamers.

McDonald took four for 77 runs in 38.4 overs, 15 of which were maidens, and Nicholson, who has a peculiar delivery action, got four for 91 in 33 overs.

Leg-spinner Palmer had only three overs for 15 runs, and Ireland, another seamer, who bowled leg-cutters to a packed off-side field, took one for 21 in 13 overs.

The Natal bowlers bowled to their field. They obviously bowled to a plan, but although this slowed down the Rhodesian run-rate, it was not good enough against the home batsmen, particularly Carlstein, who must have been well satisfied with this performance against his former province.

Although Rhodesia only got three overs in before the close, Parker got Young leg before with the last ball of the day. Obviously the visitors are going to make a fight of it today and the Rhodesian bowlers will have to earn their wickets.

RHODESIA ATTACK SHOWED UP NEED FOR DU PREEZ

By Len Brown

The feature of the final days' play between Rhodesia and Natal B in their drawn Currie Cup B match at the Police Ground, Salisbury, yesterday, during which another two hours were lost through rain, was a grand century by Natal all-rounder Neville Ireland in his first ever Currie Cup match.

He batted four hours for his undefeated 152, which included 18 fours, and his fourth-wicket stand of 148 with skipper Grayson Heath (62) saved what looked like an early Natal collapse.

Heath declared at 258 for five wickets, leaving Rhodesia 35 minutes in which to score 160 and, at the end, Ray Gripper and young Derrick Townshend, having his first innings as an opener for Rhodesia, were 30 without loss.

If this match revealed nothing else, it showed just how much the Rhodesian attack relies on the immaculate leg-spin bowling of Springbok Jackie du Preez.

Had he been on parade in this match, despite the time lost by rain and the admirable Natal fight back in the second innings, I'm sure there could have been a closer and more entertaining match,

As it was, yesterday morning, the Rhodesian attack looked quite innocuous.

In fact, with so many loose balls being directed down the leg side, at times it looked downright ragged, and skipper Bland will have to make a priority job of persuading his bowlers that there's no future in packing an offside field - and then have 50 per cent of the bowling pasted out in the area between wide mid-on and fine leg.

Bowlers in this class of cricket should not have to be reminded of that.

In fact, the Natal bowlers, on Sunday, pointed the lesson, when they concentrated on the off stump when bowling to both Carlstein and Bland, and made both graft hard for their runs.

It was the Natal seamers - McDonald, Nicholson and Ireland - who stole the bowling honour sin this game by their ability to bowl to a set field.

One can probably exclude Derrick Townshend from this criticism of the Rhodesian attack.

The Rhodesians looked a better side in the field, their throwing to the wicket being first class, and Tony Pithey's throw to run out Heath and break up that big fourth-wicket stand would have done credit to a Bland or a Carlstein.

Starting at their overnight total of 10 for one wicket, Natal were soon in trouble, when Parker, bowling round the wicket, shattered Groves' stumps and had Groom snapped up by Williams at short square leg.

This left them at 45 for three, still 53 runs behind Rhodesia's first-innings total, and a quick wicket here could have changed the entire complexion of the game.

But Heath and Ireland, batting sensibly and waiting for the loose ball - they didn't have to wait long - pushed the score along at almost a run a minute.

Neither gave the semblance of a chance and, when the rain arrived 10 minutes before lunch, they had taken the score to 134.

The drizzle continued for some time, tea was taken early, and the game finally got started again at 3.30. Ireland went into his shell from then on until he passed his century, then threw the bat about in entertaining fashion.

COLIN BLAND'S THREE PROBLEMS

Fred Cleary's Column (Sunday Mail, 3 December 1967)

Colin Bland will be told tomorrow what team he can take on the Currie Cup tour.

Whatever combination the national selectors come up with, there is no doubt that Rhodesia's new captain will have three basic problems. They are:

*** Weak and inexperienced seam bowling.

*** A persistent brittleness in the batting.

*** His own inexplicable inability to score consistently for his country.

Let us take each problem in order.

Possibly through nerves, Brian Baxter was most ineffectual and was allowed to bowl only 12 overs in three days, conceding 60 runs. So, one presumes, he will make way for an original choice, Bulawayo's seam bowler Noel Peck, for whom the man best judged to give an opinion, Joe Partridge, has an extremely high regard.

Taking away a man who has yet to play in a three-day match and selecting him after only 20 overs in a Logan Cup game is an obvious gamble.

But such is the paucity of good seam bowling in the country today that perhaps this gamble is justified, certainly with a man who has reasonable pace and specialises in the outswinger.

Despite his indifferent match against Natal B, Eddie Parker will probably travel, on the reasoning that there is no one else.

Strange thing about Parker's play was that he was only impressive when bowling round the wicket for a short time on the Monday morning, when he got two of his four wickets.

He had moved from over to round in order to avoid a re-turfed strip on his run-up. He looked good as he got more of his shoulder and body behind the ball, but instead of sticking to bowling round, he moved back to the other side of the stumps, and was ineffective once more. This was illogical reasoning.

As Tony Pithey says, Neville Williams looks overweight and unfit, and he is going to need a lot of hard work on the tour to justify his selection, despite the vital wickets he took on Saturday.

So, all really depends on Jack du Preez, who limped around the ground last week wracked with pain in his back, and feeling frustrated.

How he would have loved to have got at century-maker Neville Ireland after Ireland revealed against make-shift leg-spinner Peter Carlstein that he is not the happiest of men when facing spin.

Which leads to the batting, that perennial problem when it comes to assessing Rhodesian teams.

Before last week's game, we all said how powerful our batting was on paper. So it was.

But it took a man who has only been in the country a few weeks, Peter Carlstein, to hold the team together. Out of 309 in the first innings, he scored 125, figures which speak for themselves.

Natal bowled well, giving little away. But if we have A Section aspirations our batsmen must do better than that. We should have got at least 500.

It could be argued that du Preez was missing and therefore, without one important batsman, our strength was reduced considerably.

But that is not my view. We cannot expect du Preez to do everything. Our so-called batting specialists have the main responsibility.

Ray Gripper returned to form with a pleasing 43 and it was regrettable he was run out when in full flight.

Brian Davison played a delightful innings of 47. He came to Salisbury from Bulawayo at the start of the season with a glowing reputation of a man with a good eye and great hitting power.

And particularly to the Bulawayo letter writer who thinks I am anti-cricketers from that area, I am pleased to report that this Bulawayo man is indeed an exciting prospect.

His eye is keen, reflexes sharp, wrists powerful and heart in the right place.

He reminds me so much of one of my favourite batsmen of recent years, Marshall Davies (of Bulawayo), who was always prepared to crack the ball hard no matter what the situation.

I understand one Rhodesian selector was not happy with Davison, pointing out that 47 was not good enough when obviously so much in form that a century was called for.

This is the Bradman approach and technically he is right. But Davison was playing in his first match and that leaping catch by Heath was quite superb and right out on the boundary, which is possibly the most face-saving way to go.

In a season or two, with half a dozen big games behind him, Brian Davison could develop into the aggressive middle-order batsman Rhodesia needs so badly.

It is imperative that if we can obtain totals high enough for du Preez to use to 'buy' his wickets, they must be scored quickly. It is no use pottering about wasting time as some are inclined to do.

Finally, Colin Bland must ponder on his fate and own batting ability when it comes to playing at home.

Away from home, in Tests and when playing for the World XI, he is great, whacking centuries with impressive style. But it must be some time since last he registered a high score for Rhodesia.

To date he has played 45 matches for Rhodesia, had 82 innings, been not out 10 times and has a highest score of 162.

His aggregate is 2028, giving him an average of 28.17, which is not good.

But I will not dwell on this. No one is more aware of this predicament than Rhodesia's captain. One only hopes he can find those runs on tour.