At St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth; 27, 28, 29 December 1971. Eastern Province (281/6 declared and 223/6 declared) drew with Rhodesia (196 and 205/7). - EASTERN PROVINCE v RHODESIA (Currie Cup match) CricInfo report

Reports taken from The Herald unless otherwise stated.

OLDRIEVE . SHACKLED AND NOW DOUBTFUL

By Glen Byrom; Saturday 4 December 1971

. . . The Rhodesian Currie Cup team to tour South Africa after Christmas will be announced on Sunday night. Selectors Alwyn Pichanick (convener), Joe Partridge, Percy Mansell and Tony Pithey must choose 12 players to do battle against Eastern Province at Port Elizabeth (December 27, 28 and 29) and Natal in Durban (January 1, 3 and 4).

Brittle batting has again been Rhodesia’s weakness this season and it is unfortunate that there is little depth of talent in this department at the moment. Therefore I see little or no change to the 12 who travelled to Johannesburg recently for the Gillette Cup match.

Brian Oldrieve’s position at number four might be the subject of most debate by the selectors and they could bring in Jack Heron, Errol Laughlin, Alistair Carlisle or Jono Clarke, depending on which one shows real form tomorrow.

One thing seems certain, Standard Bank all-rounder Jimmy Mitchell has thoroughly earned his place and should be in the 12. The 12 could be: Gripper (capt), Barbour, J McPhun, Fletcher, Procter, Davison, Laughlin, Gardiner, du Preez, Bowes, Kaschula, Mitchell.

Oldrieve, of course, has a chance tomorrow to show he has the strokes and the form to warrant retention. Oldrieve is a player with a wide range of shots and an adventurous spirit, but he has been shackled by tight situations and lack of batting practice in recent national games.

GRIPPER TO LEAD SAME 12 IN S.A.

By Glen Byrom; Wednesday 8 December 1971

Ray Gripper leads an unchanged Rhodesian cricket team on its two-match A Section Currie Cup tour of South Africa after Christmas. The matches are against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth and Natal in Durban.

Selectors Alwyn Pichanick, Joe Partridge, Percy Mansell and Tony Pithey thus keep their faith in the men who drew the first two games against Transvaal and Eastern Province and emerged form both with great credit. The 12 to tour are: Ray Gripper (capt), Mike Procter (vice-capt), Brian Barbour, Terry Bowes, Brian Davison, Jack du Preez, Duncan Fletcher, Howie Gardiner, Richie Kaschula, Jimmy Mitchell, John McPhun, Brian Oldrieve. Barbour and Bowes are from Mt and the rest from Mashonaland.

The tour matches are against Eastern Province at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, on December 27, 28 and 29, and against Natal at Kingsmead on Durban on January 1, 3 and 4. The team leaves by air on December 26.

The inclusion of left-arm spinner and right-hand batsman Jimmy Mitchell, of Standard Bank, means there are three spinners in the team. But Mitchell, who has been the most consistent all-rounder in Rhodesian league cricket this season, could earn his place as a batsman with his spin bowling an added bonus, if necessary. Mitchell was outstanding in the recent Gillette Cup match against Transvaal and on that performance could hardly be left out.

RHODESIAN CRICKET TOUR EXTENDED

By Glen Byrom; Tuesday 14 December 1971

Rhodesia’s two-match Currie Cup cricket tour to South Africa, starting late this month, has been extended by five days to take in a three-day friendly against Western Province at Newlands, Cape Town. The match will be played on January 7, 8 and 10, with the team flying home on January 11.

The Province invitation to Rhodesia was accepted at Saturday’s meeting of the Rhodesia Cricket Union in Salisbury. The players had all reacted favourably to playing the extra match.

In Cape Town, the president of the Western Province Cricket Union, Mr Boon Wallace, said: “We welcome the opportunity of playing against Rhodesia in a home match and also the fact that our cricket public will be able to see Mike Procter and other outstanding players in action again..

TOUR PROSPECTS GOOD

The Procter Column; Sunday Mail, 19 December 1971

The Currie Cup has now reached an interesting situation, with the bonus points system having a big effect. Transvaal have 16 points from two matches, Natal 15 from two, Eastern Province 14 from three, Rhodesia 12 from two and Western Province four from one. This indicates just how close the competition is this season, and the first side to score an outright will have a distinct advantage.

Last season there were only four outright decisions and this season there may be fewer. In fact the side that manages to win two matches could well take the Currie Cup.

The Rhodesian team leaves on Boxing Day for a three-match tour of South Africa . two very important Currie Cup fixtures against Natal and Eastern Province and a friendly against Western Province. Transvaal and Eastern Province have just finished a tight match at St George’s Park. The wicket looks as if it favours seam bowling, with the spinners struggling.

If this is the case, it looks as if there will be a good chance of taking the match to a full conclusion. With most wickets being pretty plumb these days, it will make a pleasant change to come across a wicket that helps the bowlers a lot.

That St George’s Park wicket has always been a bit of a bogey for me in Currie Cup matches, and I can’t ever remember being on a winning side against Eastern Province there. But I have always enjoyed playing Test matches there and have had a fair bit of success.

The Eastern Province side we will be up against will be stronger than the one which came to Bulawayo earlier this season. Wilmot, who scored 222 against Rhodesia a couple of seasons ago, is playing again. Barry Wood has taken over the opening position from Pasty Harris. He is a useful seamer as well as a good batsman and fielder.

Natal, who I rate as the strongest side in the Currie Cup, are our second fixture. They have a fine all-round side with a few very experienced players blending with talented youth. Their three best players are undoubtedly the two opening bowlers Pat Trimborn and Vintcent van der Bijl . and the man considered by many to be the finest cricketer in the world today, Barry Richards.

Their bowling is strong but, Richards apart, their batting is vulnerable. The Kingsmead wicket usually has a lot of grass on it, but the interesting thing is that it only really gives the bowlers any real help if the weather is overcast or humid.

I remember playing for Natal against Transvaal some years back and we batted first on a cloudless day and made 300 with the wicket playing easily. The next day the weather was overcast and the ball really seamed and swung a lot. We bowled Transvaal out for 90.

I think the general gossip in Durban about the tides affecting the wicket is a lot of rubbish.

It is good to see Jimmy Mitchell in the touring party. He has been extremely unlucky in recent seasons, and he must be just about the finest cricketer around who has not played first-class cricket for the last couple of seasons.

PITTAWAY BACK TO FACE RHODESIA

Herald correspondents; Tuesday 21 December 1971

Keith Reid, who took six for 90 in the match against Transvaal, is a surprise omission by Eastern Province for their Currie Cup cricket match against Rhodesia in Port Elizabeth on December 27, 28 and 29. He is replaced by Claude Pittaway who missed the Transvaal match because of the South African Country Districts tour of South America.

This is the only change in the side, which is: Graeme Pollock (captain), Dassie Biggs, Barry Wood, Simon Bezuidenhout, Lorrie Wilmot, Bill McAdam, Peter Pollock, Claude Pittaway, Sibley McAdam, Ronnie Colling, Etienne Schmidt. 12th Man: Keith Reid.

Bill McAdam, whose place might otherwise have been in some doubt, hit a competent half-century in club cricket at the weekend, while Graeme Pollock and Bezuidenhout hit centuries.

PROCTER SAYS ‘NO’

Thursday 23 December 1971

Springbok all-rounder Mike Procter today turned down an invitation to join the Rest of the World side in Australia on December 30 with fellow Springboks Peter and Graeme Pollock.

Procter said soon after speaking to Australian Board of Control secretary, Mr Jack Ledward, in an inter-continental phone link-up, that he declined the offer because the dates would have conflicted with Rhodesia’s Currie Cup commitments. Mr Ledward had wanted him in time for the Third Test against Australia.

But Procter added that Mr Ledward had told him the Board may consider asking him to join the World team in mid-January after Rhodesia’s South African Currie Cup tour.

RHODESIA PUT TO THE TEST IN S.A.

By Glen Byrom; Monday 27 December 1971

Mike Procter and Graeme Pollock, two young giants of Springbok cricket, hold the key to the A Section Currie Cup cricket match between Eastern Province and Rhodesia starting at St George’s Park here today. They, above all others, have the genius to shatter the fine balance of these two teams and initiate victory.

In their drawn match in Bulawayo last month, Procter and Pollock both failed with the bat in the first innings, but Procter’s inspired fast bowling gave Rhodesia the edge and Gripper’s men were well placed when rain robbed five hours’ play and prevented an outright result. Now Gripper’s men prepare to face Easterns again with the confidence of the Bulawayo match behind them.

Rhodesia’s cricketers always go off on their Christmas tour with high hopes and intentions. Seldom have these materialized and their supporters have understandably become a little skeptical. They are used to a big build-up . . . then a big let-down on A Section sorties. But this time Rhodesia are on tour with more than just hopes and they are determined not to turn in dismal performances and to return to jeers.

Last season Rhodesia swept through the B Section, but before that they had lost outright nine A Section matches in a row. With two draws so far this season there has still been no redemption.

Never have Rhodesia had such a good opportunity of boosting their sagging image as on this tour. Two years ago Gripper’s men were cramped by anxiety and lack of confidence. Result . obliterated by E.P. and Natal on tour. Procter has been the antidote for that and it is a fact worth repeating that he has instilled a new-found confidence in his Rhodesian team-mates.

This is also basically a more talented team than was here two years ago and only five of the 12 on that tour keep their places. They are Gripper, du Preez, Gardiner, Fletcher and Mitchell, who was 12th man for both games. It is an indignity he certainly won’t suffer on this tour. After his all-round excellence this season Mitchell must be included today.

The tour selection committee of Alwyn Pichanick, skipper Ray Gripper and vice-captain Mike Procter will decide early this morning who will carry the drinks. Who will it be?

I forecast Brian Oldrieve will be asked to stand down, although it could be big Richie Kaschula or John McPhun. The rest seem safe.

If Kaschula plays it means playing three spinners with the pitch likely to favour seam. However, Mitchell and du Preez can both be considered worthy of their places on their batting and fielding alone with their bowling an added bonus if necessary.

The Pollock brothers leave Port Elizabeth for Australia and a place in the depleted World XI after play on Wednesday night. They will therefore both be anxious to strike top form.

Two years ago I remember watching Graeme lash a spectacular century against Rhodesia in this match. Another stirring innings like that could see Province dominating, especially as Rhodesia’s notoriously brittle batting seems to have improved only fractionally since last in the A Section.

The difference is Procter in attack. Rhodesia now has one of the greatest fast bowlers in the world to take maximum advantage of pitches prepared for seam. No longer do our batsmen have to endure a battering from opposition quickies without having a colleague who can do likewise.

Rhodesia’s attack is unquestionably the best equipped in the Currie Cup. No other province has a fast bowler of the calibre of Procter and no other province has the rich spin talent which is now an embarrassment to Rhodesia. With du Preez, Kaschula and Mitchell on this tour there is still no place for the country’s most recent Springbok, John Traicos, a member of one of South Africa’s greatest international sides.

It is this factor that makes Rhodesia’s chances good, not merely hopeful. If we can bowl out Easterns for a reasonable first innings total and some of our batsmen strike their potential form then victory is attainable. Of one thing I’m certain . if Rhodesia do lose, it won’t be by the same humiliating margin of an innings as in 1969-70. It will be close.

Easterns field a stronger team than they did in Bulawayo. Missing from that side are Pasty Harris, Dave Brickett and Tubby Bond, while included this time are the Lancashire opening batsman Barry Wood and the hard-hitting Lorrie Wilmot. Wilmot was the scourge of Rhodesia several years ago when he hit 222 in Salisbury.

This is going to be a tough game, but one which could see the first outright result of this season’s A Section . . . for either side. An outright win here would put Rhodesia in a relentless mood for their New Year match against Natal in Durban. For they know that to win both tour matches would make them strong contenders for the Currie Cup.

POLLOCK POUNDS GLORIOUS 129

From Glen Byrom, Port Elizabeth; Tuesday 28 December 1971

The batting wizardry of Graeme Pollock put Eastern Province in a strong position on the first day of their A Section Currie Cup cricket match against Rhodesia at St George’s Park here yesterday.

A holiday crowd of more than 6000 saw their local idol in full flight as he pounded a chanceless century and revealed his glittering array of strokes. Province gained [five] batting bonus points as they totalled 281 for six declared and then snatched the wicket of Brian Barbour before the close which saw Rhodesia 29 for one.

Rhodesia got two fielding bonus points, and best bowler of the day was seamer Duncan Fletcher with four for 51 in 21 overs while Mike Procter bowled his heart out and finished without taking a wicket although only 57 runs were scored off his 27 overs.

Richie Kaschula was left out of the 12 just before play started . the three tour selectors preferring Standard Bank all-rounder Jimmy Mitchell.

Rhodesia’s captain, Ray Gripper, won the toss and chose to field but there was no life to be extracted from the pitch . not even by Procter off his long run. Rhodesia’s first success came after 72 minutes when a ball from seamer Brian Davison lifted sharply, found the edge of Bezuidenhout’s bat and lobbed gently to Jack du Preez in the gully to make Eastern Province 30 for one.

Graeme Pollock started majestically, steering a Davison full toss through midwicket for four and then punching a short ball through the covers.

The visitors gained two further successes before lunch when first Biggs edged a short ball to wicket-keeper Gardiner to be out for 26 in 100 minutes, then Wood snicked an attempted hook to be out the same way. At lunch, with province 78 for three, Fletcher had the outstanding figures of eight overs, two wickets for nine runs, with Pollock on 29.

Surprisingly it was the spin of Mitchell and du Preez that stemmed the run flow for a short while. Then came three exhilarating cricket strokes from maestro Pollock off du Preez . a square cut for four, a pull for six and a crashing cover drive for four that saw him race to 90 and bring up the 100 partnership in 110 minutes.

The inevitable Pollock century came in 171 minutes with 15 fours and a six and without the hint of a chance. The 200 came in 262 minutes, the last 50 on 38 minutes, and at tea Province were 206 for three (Pollock 116).

The end of Graeme Pollock’s innings came when he tried to steal a suicidal run after Wilmot had played the ball to short cover.

In the chase for bonus points Bill McAdam hit some bold strokes before cutting Fletcher to point. The fair-haired Fletcher snatched his fourth wicket when he trapped Peter Pollock leg before for Province to be 271 for six, Pollock declaring ten runs later.

RHODESIA COUNT COST OF BAD BATTING

From Glen Byrom, Port Elizabeth; Wednesday 29 December 1971

Eastern Province tightened their grip on the A Section Currie Cup match here yesterday after another dismal Rhodesian batting performance. Only Jimmy Mitchell enhanced his reputation with a marathon, face-saving innings as Rhodesia struggled to 196 all out . 85 behind. At the close of the second day, Province were 129-4.

Unless there is a dramatic breakthrough this morning it looks like being a survival operation for Rhodesia as Graeme Pollock strives to lead his team to victory and 10 points. Rhodesia have only three bonus points (two bowling and one batting) and Eastern Province nine (five bowling and four batting).

For Rhodesia, Mitchell’s innings was the only heartening effort of the day. Making his Currie Cup debut, he displayed unrelenting concentration as he applied himself to the task of anchoring the innings. He batted 275 minutes for his undefeated 73 and was in for all but 35 minutes of the Rhodesian innings. Mitchell hit nine fours and played the bowling watchfully but without ever looking troubled as he saw his team-mates falling like nine-pins.

By the close, Rhodesia had captured the golden prize of Graeme Pollock’s wicket, bowled for 25 attempting to drive Fletcher. But they were 214 runs behind with six Province batsmen remaining. They would be pleased with a draw today.

By lunch yesterday, the Rhodesian innings was in ruins at 118-6, with Mitchell on 33. The bowling had been accurate but not particularly penetrative on an easy-paced pitch that held no terrors for the batsmen.

Overnight they were 29-1 and the collapse started after only 10 minutes yesterday when Ray Gripper went on the cut to a ball from Sibley McAdam a foot outside the off stump and edged the ball back on to his stumps. He made 16 in an hour.

Brian Oldrieve, who has concealed his strokes many times this season, looked a different batsman yesterday. The 6ft 1in Tengwe farmer, who is powerfully built, played fluently from the start, producing some superb drives and a couple of sizzling hooks to the boundary off Peter Pollock.

The hook is a reflex action by Oldrieve to anything short and it is a shot he must curb. When he was on 18 a hook off Sibley McAdam skied to Peter Pollock at deep backward square leg, but the ball flopped out of his hands. Next ball, another attempted hook raised a confident appeal for caught behind, but Oldrieve survived and went on to make 26 in 54 minutes before being bowled by a Keith Reid inswinger.

Brian Davison was promoted to five but looked shaky in his brief stay before he sent on the drive to a wide ball from Reid and presented slip Graeme Pollock with a simple catch.

Procter looked good from the start and hit a couple of crisp boundaries. But Rhodesia could not rely on the great Springbok this time and he was leg-before to McAdam for only 15 after batting 28 minutes.

John McPhun stayed only a few balls before he pulled his bat away from a ball and was out leg-before to Claude Pittaway, to make Rhodesia 98-6.

Jack du Preez middled the ball from the start and took two fours off Peter Pollock with a cut and a cover drive. But just as he was beginning to make an impression he was given out leg-before to Peter Pollock.

Howie Gardiner bludgeoned two fours but when on nine he prodded forward half-heartedly to off-spinner Dassie Biggs and Graeme Pollock took an excellent catch moving to his right at first slip.

Duncan Fletcher then put on 28 with Mitchell before an incredible run out. Mitchell played the ball down the pitch and called for a sharp single. Bowler Reid, following through, picked up the ball and threw at the batsman’s wicket. The ball missed the wicket and went past wicket-keeper Colling, whose gloves removed the bails, for Fletcher to be given out.

GRIPPER CENTURY EARNS DRAW

By Glen Byrom, Port Elizabeth; Thursday 30 December 1971

Rhodesia stumbled to an unconvincing draw against Eastern Province in the A Section Currie Cup match at St George’s Park yesterday. Only a resolute century by captain Ray Gripper, and a sound 49 from Jack du Preez, saved Rhodesia, who had been set the improbable task of scoring 309 in 302 minutes for victory.

It was another day of floundering batting for Rhodesia and at the close they were clinging desperately to their remaining wickets. So after six years and 18 matches, Rhodesia are still without an A Section Currie Cup win. And they will have to lift their performance substantially if they are to match Natal in Durban on Saturday.

Easterns declared their second innings at 223-6 . a lead of 308 . and at the close Rhodesia were 204-7, with Gripper on 116.

Never has the Rhodesian captain played such a valuable innings at such a crucial stage, although he should have been run out on 10 when he was stranded down the pitch. This was a costly mistake for Eastern Province, because Gripper’s batting yesterday was magnificent. He was in 302 minutes and hit 16 boundaries.

After the first hour yesterday the Rhodesian hopes had perished as Lorrie Wilmot and night-watchman Ronnie Colling played fluently and gathered runs at a steady pace. The well-built Wilmot far surpassed his mediocre first innings form, when he scratched around for an undefeated 76, and yesterday hit the ball with crisp authority.

The first wicket fell after 100 minutes yesterday when Colling tried to swing Mitchell to midwicket, got a top edge and skied the ball back to the bowler. He had batted 101 minutes for his 38 and put on 84 runs with Wilmot.

Mitchell also picked up the wicket of Bill McAdam with a low caught and bowled off a drive, and Graeme Pollock declared the innings at 223-6, scored in 268 minutes and 66.2 overs. Mike Procter, spearhead of the Rhodesian attack, failed to take a wicket in the match. The pitch did not suit him but he did tend to bowl too short and Duncan Fletcher was Rhodesia’s best bowler.

It takes some doing to sustain a run-a-minute rate for 300 runs, but it was a tempting offer by Pollock which Rhodesia had to accept at the outset. But again the top Rhodesian batting crumbled disastrously, with Barbour and Oldrieve out with the total only nine. When, after two hours, five wickets were down for 56 runs, it became a survival operation.

Barbour was yorked by Peter Pollock, the ball swinging in late and brushing his pads, while Oldrieve faced only a few balls before snicking a rising ball from Pollock into his chest to be caught when the ball rebounded to Wilmot at short leg.

Brian Davison stayed 22 minutes and scored only one before prodding forward to be caught at third slip . Peter Pollock’s third victim. Procter was unlucky to get a vicious kicking ball from Pittaway which caught the shoulder of the bat and lobbed to Wood at gully.

John McPhun looked jittery from the start and was dropped before he had scored . a sizzling chance to Wilmot at short leg. But he made only four in an unhappy stay of 32 minutes before being bowled by Pittaway.

It was left to the two veterans of the side, Gripper and du Preez, to revive the floundering innings. Du Preez has so often played this role for Rhodesia in his 10 years of Currie Cup cricket and his 49 yesterday, scored with all his usual confidence, included seven fours and took 136 minutes.

With 18 compulsory overs remaining, Rhodesia still had an uphill battle and Mitchell, hero of the first innings, was immediately surrounded by a ring of close fielders. The tension eased with each completed over and at the close Rhodesia had struggled to an unconvincing draw.

GRIPPER DEFENDS SUB DECISION

By Glen Byrom, Friday 31 December 1971

Rhodesian cricket captain Ray Gripper has defended his decision on Wednesday of not allowing a substitute fielder when the Eastern Province Springboks Graeme and Peter Pollock left the field 15 minutes before close of play to catch a flight to Johannesburg.

The Pollock brothers were booked on the 6.30pm flight to Johannesburg, where they were leaving yesterday for Australia and a place in the World XI against Australia. The last day’s play had already been brought forward 30 minutes to accommodate them.

Said Gripper after the match: “With the match drawing to a close Graeme Pollock and I agreed we would have two more overs and then call it a day as the chances of victory were gone. Jimmy Mitchell then got out and Graeme changed his mind, saying there was now a different complexion on the game. He had already told me that he and Peter were going at 5.45, which was 15 minutes before the close, and I said if they did I would not allow a substitute.

“Graeme’s comment was that I would get lynched in Port Elizabeth if I didn’t. I was not particularly worried when their substitute ran on to the field, but when Dassie Biggs called for the new ball I then said I did not agree with the substitute as the reasons for having one had nothing to do with the game in progress..

Gripper was criticized harshly by radio commentator Charles Fortune, who said this was not in the spirit of the game as the Pollocks were going on a mission for South African cricket. This criticism hardly seems justified and I believe Gripper was perfectly entitled to send off substitute John Summerton and make Province finish the last 10 minutes or so with nine fielders.

Firstly there was an agreement that there would be two more overs which Pollock went back on. There was also the fact that the Pollocks did not have to fly to Johannesburg on Wednesday evening as there was a flight out of Port Elizabeth at 7.30 a.m. yesterday which would have had them at Jan Smuts in plenty of time.

This was an important Currie Cup match, and for two key players to walk off 15 minutes before the end is incredible, especially as Peter Pollock was needed to use the new ball for an over or two in a last desperate bid for victory over Rhodesia.

Also, Graeme Pollock had commented the previous evening that ‘we play the game hard in this country’ when the Rhodesians asked him why he did not recall Duncan Fletcher in the first innings when he was given run out without the ball ever touching the stumps. The wicket-keeper’s gloves dislodged the bails and umpire Carl Coetzee even suggested to the players that Fletcher be called back.

Gripper was playing the game hard . and according to the rules.

A FEW PLEASING FEATURES

Ray Gripper’s model side-saving century against Eastern Province was the first by a Rhodesian batsman in A Section Currie Cup cricket for six years. This was one of the few pleasing features of the game for Rhodesians who general played well below their ability at St George’s Park.

But there were other encouraging features, the bowling of seamer Duncan Fletcher for instance. He impressed everyone immensely with his control.

The all-round play of Jimmy Mitchell was heartening and showed he must stay in the side.

Disturbing aspects include the shaky play of John McPhun who appears to have lost confidence and could well be the 12th man for the game in Durban starting tomorrow.

Brian Davison had a poor game, playing two bad shots to be caught at slip both times, but he is still brimming with confidence and eager to make amends.

Terry Bowes was disappointing with the new ball, never maintaining a good line, and new opening batsman Brian Barbour was out to an indiscriminate hook in the first innings.

Mike Procter bowled his heart out without success, or much luck.