At Newlands, Cape Town; 7, 8, 10 January 1972. Western Province (263/9 declared and 180) lost to Rhodesia (326 and 118/8) by two wickets. - WESTERN PROVINCE v RHODESIA (first-class friendly match) CricInfo report

Reports taken from The Herald unless otherwise stated.

Note: this friendly match was arranged in the expectation that Rhodesia would not be playing a Currie Cup match in Cape Town during the season. Shortly afterwards the Currie Cup programme was extended, so in fact Rhodesia were to visit Newlands twice in 1971/72.

RHODESIAN CRICKET PRIDE IN THE BALANCE

From Glen Byrom, Cape Town; Friday 7 January 1972

Ray Gripper’s tourists seek to restore a measure of pride in Rhodesian cricket in the three-day friendly match against Western Province starting at Newlands here today. But, as in their last two tour games against Eastern Province and Natal where Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards unleashed their fine strokeplay to dominate the matches, one man stands out in the Western Province side as the biggest threat to victory hopes for the Rhodesians.

He is 25-year-old Andre Bruyns, who has successfully taken over the captaincy from the retired Eddie Barlow, and who this week led Province to a nail-biting and unexpected outright win over Transvaal to leave the A Section of the Currie Cup wide open. Bruyns was given one of the biggest ovations seen at picturesque Newlands and is currently something of an idol in these parts. Many locals are sure he is third only to Pollock and Richards as a batsman.

There are several encouraging features for this match. Rhodesia’s last A Section Currie Cup win came six years ago at Newlands, while last year Rhodesia handsomely won the friendly in Salisbury, Mike Procter slamming a magnificent 254. Western Province have kept the same team that beat Transvaal, while the Rhodesian team will only be named before play tomorrow morning.

Most likely to stand down is the 19-year-old Matabeleland fast bowler Terry Bowes, who has not been as accurate as he might have been on tour. This would mean playing three spinners, Jack du Preez, Richie Kaschula and Jimmy Mitchell, who should all perform well on a pitch that usually provides turn while the ball also floats in the south-easter which usually blows strongly across the ground.

It would be interesting to compare the burly Rhodesian left-arm spinner Richie Kaschula with Province’s Springbok Grahame Chevalier. Chevalier is another danger man for Rhodesia as he thrives in the Cape conditions, although he has apparently yet to find real form this season. This too, however, applies to Kaschula, who has lost much of his accuracy, which was the outstanding feature of his bowling.

Kaschula has little else to offer the team by way of batting or fielding, and thus needs to show his worth as an economical spinner in the ideal conditions at Newlands. If Kaschula strays off line then Jimmy Mitchell could bear the brunt of the spin attack with his left-arm spinners, while leg-spinner du Preez should also relish these conditions and must be a potential match-winner.

If Bowes stands down then Duncan Fletcher will share the new ball with Procter with Davison the third seamer. Certainly this attack looks better equipped than Province’s and so Rhodesia once again look to their batting to provide the foundation for victory with a big first-innings total.

For this, Rhodesia need a reliable number three, for this team seems to be unable to recover from poor starts in the first innings. Fletcher could be the answer and I would not be surprised to see him coming in at three. His fluent form in Durban warrants this.

The Rhodesian team, in batting order, looks like being: Ray Gripper, Brian Barbour, Duncan Fletcher, Brian Davison, Mike Procter, Jack du Preez, John McPhun, Brian Oldrieve, Jimmy Mitchell, Howie Gardiner, Richie Kaschula.

Gardiner supporters will be shocked to see the tall Alex man, who can be so devastating with the bat, so low in the order. But frankly his form is so shaky that he can bat no higher. For him to regain confidence and form he needs to come in at number six or so after the top-order batsmen have scored a fistful of runs. Then he could play his natural aggressive game and, if the top men do come off, Gripper will probably give him this chance.

After their victory over Transvaal interest in cricket is at fever pitch here and big crowds are expected today, Saturday and Monday despite this being a friendly.

RHODESIA BACK ON THE BRINK

Glen Byrom reports from Cape Town; Saturday 8 January 1972

After four batsmen had been routed for only 37 runs, a run-a-minute 171-run partnership by the in-form Andre Bruyns and Mike Bowditch rescued Western Province and guided them to a substantial first-innings total of 263 for nine declared on the first day of the friendly against Rhodesia at Newlands yesterday. At the close the top order Rhodesia batting had again crumbled to 40 for three wickets. Back in the pavilion are Gripper, Barbour and Fletcher.

For Province, tiny skipper Bruyns made 108 in 234 minutes, but this innings was not without blemish. He played many false strokes and it was not one of his more polished centuries. But he provided the much-needed backbone of the Province innings for most of the other batsmen struggled, especially against the fearsome pace of Mike Procter at his fastest.

Bowditch, once in his stride, played the best knock of the day, scoring 85 in 171 minutes and hitting four crashing sixes over midwicket. He and Bruyns took the tottering Province innings from 37-4 to 28 before Bowditch was out going for another big hit.

The Rhodesian batting, which has been so disappointing this tour, is on the brink of disaster once again and a big score is needed from somebody today.

Western Province won the toss and batted, their innings starting dramatically with Procter dismissing openers Neville Budge and Quinton Rookledge in his first three overs.

Procter’s replacement, seamer Brian Davison, had Peter Denne sparring at a leg-cutter to be caught by Gardiner for nine. In his second over the lively Davison got Gavin Pfuhl to play the identical shot to the identical ball and Gardiner too his third catch to put Province in dire trouble at 37 for four in 90 minutes.

But Andre Bruyns was starting to get into his stride and at lunch he and Mike Bowditch had consolidated to 86 for four. The declaration at 263 for nine came at 5.25, leaving Rhodesia 55 minutes’ batting before the close of the first day.

Rhodesia lost their first wicket off the third ball of Peter Swart’s first over when left-hander Brian Barbour went on the drive and was superbly caught by Morris at gully.

Next man in, Fletcher, lasted only a few balls before playing forward to a shortish ball from Swart, getting a touch to wicket-keeper Pfuhl to make Rhodesia 10 for two after 15 minutes.

With only a quarter of an hour to go Gripper mis-hit a hook off Bowditch and lobbed a catch to Rookledge at wide mid-on.

RHODESIA GET OFF THE FLOOR

From Glen Byrom; Sunday Mail, 9 January 1972

Rhodesia’s batsmen redeemed themselves at Newlands yesterday with their most heartening display this season as they totalled 326 for a first-innings lead of 63 over Western Province.

At the close of the second day of this friendly, Province were 15-0 after 45 minutes. Rhodesia’s innings included a stirring record ninth wicket partnership by John McPhun and Howie Gardiner, who put on 101 in 86 minutes to beat the 1955-56 record of 77 by Marshall Davies and Don Arnott.

Gardiner’s was the best innings of the day and must have gained him a last-minute reprieve for until now his batting form has been poor this season. He played watchfully for 29 then unleashed three huge sixes into the Oaks enclosure to race to 50 in 84 minutes. Gardiner hit two sixes and McPhun one in an over from Springbok spinner Grahame Chevalier to ruin his bowling analysis.

The consistency and fight shown by Rhodesia yesterday revealed their true potential. But one cannot forget that when it mattered in the two important Currie Cup tour matches the batsmen had failed dismally. To come right in a friendly, with less pressure, is a different matter.

The Rhodesian innings was in a shaky state of 40-3 overnight, but Brian Oldrieve and night-watchman Jimmy Mitchell played solidly for 70 minutes, adding 48 before Oldrieve was bowled by Chevalier.

It was a day of seven missed catches that cost Westerns dearly and handed a slight advantage to Rhodesia. Mitchell played a tedious but invaluable knock of 58 in 235 minutes, but was dropped in the gully off Chevalier on 32.

Mike Procter, in the unfamiliar position of No. 7, survived a close leg-before off the second ball from Chevalier and looked hesitant for some time before a blitz of two fours and a straight six put him into his stride. His 62 came in 115 minutes.

VICTORY – BUT NO THANKS TO BATSMEN

By Glen Byrom; Tuesday 11 January 1972

Rhodesia scrambled to a heart-stopping victory by two wickets after collapsing dramatically in their second innings against Western Province in the friendly cricket match at Newlands yesterday. The Rhodesian bowlers, spearheaded by spinners Jack du Preez and Richie Kaschula, had set up almost certain victory by demolishing Western Province for 180 in their second innings, leaving a target of 118 runs in 165 minutes.

But the serious shortcomings of Rhodesian batting were again brutally exposed at wickets tumbled alarmingly. In a nail-biting finish Rhodesia edged to victory 10 balls before the close, with the total 118 for eight. What had looked a cruise turned into a desperately tight struggle which had Province on the verge of an incredible victory.

At one stage during the day the game looked destined to end just after lunch in a strolling victory for Rhodesia. But it was a drama-charged atmosphere as Jimmy Mitchell and a limping Brian Oldrieve stole every single they could. Once Oldrieve stumbled and fell in the middle of the pitch . . . but luckily the fielder fumbled.

They had several other edge shots as the pressure grew, but the winning runs eventually came with 10 balls of the match remaining, Old pulling Robin Jackman for a single.

After a rain-soaked miserable Sunday the weather cleared yesterday. But some water had seeped under the covers and the Rhodesian spinners extracted good, but slow, turn, with Kaschula also getting good bounce.

Most of the Province batsmen lacked resolution and there were many irresponsible shots that cost wickets. It took them 40 overs and three wickets of the second innings to wipe off the first-innings deficit of 63 runs.

Thus du Preez and Kaschula had the satisfaction, for once, of bowling with the pressure on the batsmen. Kaschula bowled with more purpose, direction and penetration than he has showed all season, finishing with 3-30 in 24 overs. It was the jaunty Jack du Preez who ripped through the middle order with his inviting on-the-spot leg-spin. He showed all his old cunning and verve in taking 3-32 in 17 overs.

The Province top-order batting put up a feeble fight and it was left to two enterprising low-order partnerships to save the home side from humiliation. Spearheading the spirited, but belated, fight-back was former South African Schools player Richard Morris, who hit an aggressive, confident 75 – his highest first-class score.

He shared an eighth-wicket stand of 39 with Jackman and an entertaining last-wicket spree of 49 in 43 minutes with Grahame Chevalier. But these were belated efforts, for in the 150-minute pre-lunch session Province lost seven wickets while adding only 78 to their overnight 15. Procter, bowling off his short run, presented Quinton Rookledge and Neville Budge with some serious troubles.

Western Province’s tale of woe began after seven runs had been added. Rookledge pulled a ball from Mitchell to midwicket, where substitute Terry Bowes (for Oldrieve) made several yards to take a splendid diving catch.

The golden prize of Bruyns was captured by Procter. Bruyns hooked at a short ball and the ball lobbed off his gloves towards slip and appeared to be falling well short. But the 6ft 6in frame of wicket-keeper Howie Gardiner moved surprisingly quickly and he took a good tumbling catch.

Peter Denne was bowled round his legs by Kaschula, attempting a sweep, and on the same total du Preez claimed the wicket of Budge with his second ball, a fast off-spinner being snicked to Gardiner.

Bowditch was snapped up by John McPhun at second slip – a catch that was juggled then held – and Gripper took a smart catch at short mid-off to dismiss Gavin Pfuhl, who was on the drive.

Peter Swart played the biggest cow shot of the day. First he swiped at a well-flighted ball from du Preez, then pulled the next ball, a long hop, straight to midwicket Barbour.

Morris, coming in at number nine, showed up his colleagues with a fluent innings of great merit. He batted 101 minutes, hitting four sixes and six fours, before being last man out when he hooked Procter to fine-leg McPhun.

Procter claimed three wickets, two from catches after hooks, and the other when he bowled Surrey professional Robin Jackman with a sharp off-spinner.

It was as well Rhodesia were not chasing a bigger total, for they would have been beaten. Brian Barbour was dropped early on and went on to make an enterprising 26 before being bowled by off-spinner Morris after 37 minutes.

A few balls later, Gripper cut a ball straight to gully and Brian Davison prodded forward to present second slip Bruyns with a catch. After scoring four, Procter had an escape when slip Bruyns floored a straight-forward catch off Chevalier.

After going along quietly, Fletcher suddenly swung at Chevalier and midwicket Swart picked up the simple catch. With 65 minutes to go Rhodesia needed 50 to win.

Du Preez had 10, then played over the top of a full toss from leg-spinner Hobson to be bowled off stump, to make Rhodesia 85-5 – 33 to get in 43 minutes. The wicket procession continued when McPhun played back to be leg-before to Chevalier, with the total 100.

The runs had proved a titanic struggle, with the batsmen revealing a disturbing lack of concentration and application.

HAND MIKE PROCTER THE CAPTAINCY

By Glen Byrom; Thursday 13 January 1972

With Rhodesian batting the joke of the moment and criticism being echoed round the country after an uninspiring three-match South African tour, Rhodesian selectors Alwyn Pichanick, Joe Partridge, Percy Mansell and Tony Pithey must face up to some hard facts.

Year after year Rhodesia are sadly disappointing in the A Section of the Currie Cup. They always promise much, but produce little. Never do they rise to their ability.

There can be no scapegoats after yet another dismal tour – despite victory over Western Province. The fact is that Rhodesia lacks batsmen with application and fight, and a few younger players must now be given their chance.

One benefit to the team might be to relieve Ray Gripper of the pressure of captaincy and hand over leadership to the dynamic Mike Procter, provided there is some assurance he will be back next season.

Gripper is one of the soundest batsmen in the team. While he lacks commanding authority Gripper is an experienced player prepared to graft hard for his runs. He always looks highly competent and resolute and, in fact, was top run-scorer on tour with 190 in six knocks. As a batsman, therefore, he must keep his place and I believe he would do better if the pressure of captaincy was lifted from his shoulders.

Procter, a more dynamic personality and an all-rounder to match the best in the world, could be the man to extract the best out of the team and captaincy pressure should not trouble a man of his vast ability. He commands great respect and could talk sternly to his team-mates in the full knowledge that he can achieve more than he expects of them.

It is true that frail batting is a problem common to most A Section sides at present. In Port Elizabeth it was Graeme Pollock versus Rhodesia. In Durban, Barry Richards versus Rhodesia. These provinces rely heavily on these two exceptional batsmen, while Western Province similarly lean on Andre Bruyns.

All three scored first innings centuries against Rhodesia on tour while Procter – who inspired Rhodesia with fabulous batting last season – has yet to strike top form. But I feel for Procter. In six tour innings he was leg-before four times. Two of these decisions were incredible and upset the players, as Procter was looking menacing on every occasion.

I make no attempt to find excuses for the Rhodesians, but I must make reference to the umpiring on tour. It was quite the worst I have seen and definitely had an unsettling effect, which added to the tale of woe. Umpires are always coming in for criticism and I hesitate to join the cry, but there were several astonishing decisions which came at crucial stages.

The worst umpiring was in Eastern Province, closely followed by Western Province, and the most disturbing aspect was that the luck always went against Rhodesia. Rough decisions are part of the game, but they usually even out. I would not be surprised if Rhodesia were to make an official complaint and refuse to accept certain umpires in future.

It is disturbing that the highly talented Bulawayo teenager, Brian Barbour, does not seem to have learned much, as he continues to attack the bowling too soon. It is all very well hitting the loose ball, but a certain amount of caution must be blended in. But so impressive are Barbour’s strokes and so good his temperament that he must be kept the full season and more expected of him next season. He merely lacks judgement and restraint.

Brian Oldrieve and John McPhun, both stirring stroke-makers in league, do not appear to have the right temperament for the bigger stuff. Younger men like Martin Benkenstein and Jack Heron should now be given their chance in the top order and it would be a welcome sight to se the stylish left-hander Stuart Robertson hit form and return to the side.

Although his batting was poor, until that great 50 at Newlands, Howie Gardiner should keep his place. His wicket-keeping on tour was outstanding and he did not miss a chance, while he held some outstanding catches.

Two of the biggest successes on tour were Duncan Fletcher, a seam bowler of great value to his side, and the well-built Jimmy Mitchell, who revealed a fine temperament and unrelenting concentration in his batting.

The attack and fielding of the Rhodesians can surely match any other side in the competition, though Terry Bowes might struggle to retain his place.

WE DESERVE ALL THE CRITICISM BUT . . .

The Procter Column; Sunday Mail, 16 January 1972

The Rhodesian cricket team has come in for a good deal of criticism after their dismal showings on the three-match tour of South Africa. Most of it has been fully justified, as the players will be the first to agree.

We batted terribly badly in the first innings of both the Eastern Province and Natal matches. On basically good batting wickets and against not particularly good bowling, we all batted without purpose or application.

In the second innings of each match we batted a good deal better, reaching respectable totals. To have done this in the first innings would have created good victory chances. Also we were unfortunate because Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards batted so well, although the rest of their batting was brittle.

For both these games we had enormous crowds. In Port Elizabeth they had the highest attendance for a Currie Cup match and in Durban the highest for many months.

The game against Western Province, though labelled a friendly, was played as keenly as any Currie Cup match, and I feel we did a great job in beating them on their own ground. I would like to know when last Westerns were beaten at Newlands after winning the toss.

We were also criticized for our poor batting in the second innings, but the wicket was never easy on the last day. You don’t get 18 wickets in one day on a plumb wicket. Added to this, we had two unbelievably bad umpiring decisions against us at a vital stage.

Fielding and bowling throughout the tour reached a high standard and I can remember only about two catches going down. Even when we were struggling a bit with Pollock and Richards in full flight, things were always under control with bowlers maintaining a line and fielders trying like hell.

In spite of defeat at Durban and a draw at Port Elizabeth, the side remained full of high spirits and confidence, as we showed by beating Westerns immediately after their great Currie Cup victory over Transvaal.

Duncan Fletcher impressed all whom he played against. His bowling is now top class. He was consistently accurate and at times reached really high speeds. His batting has improved as he showed with a copybook innings against Natal.

Jimmy Mitchell played some very important innings for us and showed what a terrific temperament he has. He certainly saved us from complete disaster in P.E. When sent in as night-watchman he made 73 in a great exhibition of concentration and skill.

Howie Gardiner kept wicket superbly at all times. His batting was disappointing except in Cape Town where he was outstanding.

UMPIRES REBUKE PROCTER

By Brian Streak; Friday 4 February 1972

Rhodesia’s cricket captain Mike Procter has been told to keep his legs out of the way of a ball about to hit the wicket rather than blame the umpires for giving him out. An editorial in the second edition of the Rhodesia Cricket Umpires Association’s news sheet says that Rhodesian players seem to be blaming the umpiring for their poor performances on their last Currie Cup tour.

“We can’t believe that suddenly this season the standard of umpiring in South Africa has deteriorated to such an extent to warrant accusations of this nature,” says the editorial. “Mike Procter is a good batsman – but so was Colin Bland – and Colin will remember a spell when he couldn’t keep his legs out of the way of a ball about to hit the wicket. Rather than blame the umpires for giving him out lbw, Mike should correct his fault.

“We wonder if Mike, as a bowler, has ever taken a wicket with a doubtful LBW decision. We have never claimed that umpires are infallible – they most certainly are not – but the umpire is putting his best into the game – just as the player.”

The news sheet also hits out at the poor standard of ball-by-ball radio commentaries. “To the less knowledgeable listener the commentaries may have been acceptable . . . to the sophisticated listener they become tedious,” says the editorial.

“The commentators were guilty of not being up to date in their knowledge of the laws and Currie Cup rules. In both games surprise was expressed when umpires correctly applied the amended leg-bye law. Confusion during the game against Transvaal in Salisbury concerning the number of overs bowled was unforgivable . . . and the constant reference to the size of the umpire in Bulawayo [the tall, burly Willem Stander] and the repetitive remarks concerning one Rhodesian player became nauseous.”

The news sheet says that the system of interchange of umpires between the provinces has fallen down badly and that benefits of the system were in danger of being thwarted because of poor administration. The RCUA will suggest to the South African Cricket Association “that the nominations are made by SACA in good time to avoid a repetition of the three previous seasons, and that Rhodesia gets some guarantee of representation.”