At Police Ground, Salisbury; 30, 31 October, 1 November 1971. Transvaal 392 and 242-6 declared. Rhodesia 345 and 182-7. Match drawn. - RHODESIA v TRANSVAAL (Currie Cup match) CricInfo report

Reports taken from The Herald unless otherwise stated.

TRANSVAAL CRICKET TEAM WILL BE DIFFERENT

Herald correspondent: Johannesburg (Thursday 14 October 1971)

The retirement of Alan Hector and Fred Goldstein’s move to Cape Town mean Transvaal will have to make at least two changes from the team which competed last season for the opening Currie Cup match of the season against Rhodesia in Salisbury starting on October 30.

After two weekends of club matches no one has really staked a claim ahead of the other contenders, and with most of the established players in early season form there are likely to be the minimum number of changes when the team is announced on October 19.

At least nine players are near certainties for the team. They are the captain, Ali Bacher, his Balfour Park team-mate, Lee Irvine, Peter Carlstein, Clive Rice, Don Mackay-Coghill, Peter de Vaal, Brian Bath, Pat Flanagan and Ray White. To this list must be added an opening partner for fast bowler Mackay-Coghill to replace Hector and a specialist batsman to fill the gap left by the hard-hitting Goldstein.

Albie During, the Old Edwardians all-rounder, is no newcomer to provincial cricket and although he has enjoyed only moderate success in league matches his experience can count heavily when Mr Eric Rowan and his co-selectors meet after the weekend programme.

But the bowling berth may not be as easy to fill. With Gary Watson and Peter Aldworth temporarily out of action - the former because of business commitments and the latter through illness - Transvaal will have to look deeply into their reserves.

One player who may find favour is Danny Becker, the towering former North-Eastern Transvaal all-rounder now living in Johannesburg and playing for Pirates. He had a checkered career for North-Easterns in 1970-71, but on his day he is capable of using his 6ft 7in frame to devastating advantage. He is also a hard-hitting lower-order batsman who would fit in well with the Transvaal pattern of batting right down the order.

Other bowlers in contention are Alistair Hubbard, Richard Rice, Clive’s younger brother, Mike Kane-Berman, a former Transvaal Nuffield cricketer, and Trevor Baillie.

A Transvaal squad had been practising together once weekly for the past few weeks in preparation for the season in general, but it will not be until the team is announced early next week that preparation will begin in earnest for the Salisbury match.

It is ominous news for Rhodesia that Lee Irvine and Peter Carlstein particularly, and some of the other provincial players as well, have been in brilliant form in the Transvaal League Cup.

BONUS POINTS WILL BENEFIT RHODESIA

The Procter Column; Sunday Mail, 17 October 1971

The bonus points system, introduced for the first time into Currie Cup, will probably be of more benefit in Rhodesia than to any other team in the A Section this season.

One of the most important aspects of bonus point collecting is the ability of middle order batsmen to get quick runs before the end of the 85 overs in the first innings. And we have the men who are natural quick scoring batsmen and do not need to adapt their games. Contenders for Rhodesia places like John McPhun, Brian Davison, Duncan Fletcher, Brian Oldrieve, Errol Laughlin and Howie Gardiner will not have to change their styles and this could be important.

And with our top-class spinners we have an additional advantage because batsmen are inclined to take risks against them and we should pick up a few extra bonus points for wickets taken within the stipulated period. All in all I think it will make for an interesting and entertaining Currie Cup season.

England has had the bonus points system operating for three years now, and players are certainly approaching the game in a more positive manner. The system, incidentally, works like this: Bonus points are given only in the first 5 overs of the first innings. The batting side get a point for every 25 runs scored over 150. The fielding side get a point for every second wicket taken.

For example, if the batting side are 280 for seven wickets at the end of 85 overs, the batting side receive five bonus points and the fielding side three.

My county, Gloucester, this season took the most points from any single match. In beating Derbyshire (10 points) we scored 350 for eight batting points and bowled them out within 85 overs for five bowling points. Total 23.

A lot of people in England are against the system because it is said that the lower order batsmen have to come in after slow scoring by the upper order, and try to get runs quickly. England have a weak middle order at the moment and this is being blamed on the system. I disagree. The so-called younger players tried by England, Dennis Amiss and Keith Fletcher, have always done well in county matches but not in Tests. Maybe they are just not good enough at international level!

Although the return to the old ‘back foot’ no-ball rule suits me personally, I really cannot see the reasoning behind it and it is all rather confusing. The law was changed a few years ago to stop the draggers - bowlers who placed their back foot behind the line but were able to deliver the ball when the foot had dragged a yard down the wicket. Now the umpires will use discs to determine where a bowler should place his back foot and this could lead to confusion.

The old lbw law has been brought back and this is a good thing. The ball can now pitch outside the off stump and so long as the batsman’s pad is between the wickets he is out. If a batsman doesn’t play a shot at the ball and so long as the ball is going to hit the wickets he is out. Both very good laws which will benefit the game.

Rhodesian players were due to have a practice session on the Police wicket yesterday and this was found to have been a great advantage - as this is the wicket we shall get Transvaal on at the end of the month. Ricky Lawton and his staff worked really hard to give us this facility and it was really valuable.

TATTERSALL CAN MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE SELECTORS

By John Kelley; Sunday Mail, 17 October 1971

Two reasonable performances for Midlands by former Western Province opener Keith Tattersall today and next Sunday should result in sighs of relief all round from the national selectors. Because the Number 2 spot opposite skipper Ray Gripper for the match against Transvaal - less than two weeks away - is the only position either not solidly booked by someone or the subject of fierce competition.

A regular and reliable opening partnership has been Rhodesia’s main problem for two seasons and more. And although Tattersall is to remain in Rhodesia for only part of this season, two half-decent knocks must get him straight into the side.

If Tattersall fails to provide any respectable reason why he should be included, the opening spot will probably go to either Duncan Fletcher, John McPhun or Brian Barbour of Bulawayo. This is not too happy a prospect. McPhun is the natural No 3, Fletcher is better at seven - he is predominantly a front-foot player - and it would really be a deep deep end for Barbour.

For the remainder - only perhaps four players have their places secure - Brian Davison, Mike Procter, Howie Gardiner and Richie Kaschula.

The really difficult problems come up at six and nine. The selectors will have to leave out either Brian Oldrieve or Martin Benkenstein from the former. There is so little to choose between them. But I wouldn’t rule out Dave Bawden as an outsider for this position, nor Errol Laughlin, who might reach good form in time to catch the eye.

Benkenstein has scored a huge number of runs this season and is a fielder in the top class. But Oldrieve has a good record against quality bowling.

Gardiner should be more valuable up a place from nine to eight, leaving an opening there for a second spinner. Logically Jackie du Preez would be the ideal balance to Kaschula - and his batting has improved in recent months. Which would be a pity for those fine cricketers John Traicos and Jimmy Mitchell, who have been in the cold for so long. Unfortunately for them also Mike Procter is a good off-spinner (he has got all his wickets this way so far this season) and Mitchell is a similar bowler to Kaschula.

Of the pacemen, Dave Seagrave is the quickest around after Procter and he is favourite to take the new ball. But if Vincent Hogg can produce some devastating performances in the next two weeks there might be a surprise.

The final team could look like this. Ray Gripper (capt), Keith Tattersall, John McPhun, Brian Davison, Mike Procter, Brian Oldrieve, Duncan Fletcher, Howie Gardiner, Jack du Preez, David Seagrave, Richie Kaschula. 12th Man Martin Benkenstein.

PACEMAN SCOTT IS VAAL SURPRISE

Johannesburg; Tuesday 19 October 1971

Malcolm Scott, a bowler whom many were not even considering for the province’s B team, is the surprise selection in the Transvaal A team to play Rhodesia in Salisbury, starting on October 30.

Scott, formerly of Border, who opens the bowling for Wanderers A, has gained preference over Peter Aldworth. Despite a reasonably successful appearance in the Marist-Polys team after injury, Aldworth must still be considered unfit for a Currie Cup fixture. Under the circumstances, Aldworth is not in the Transvaal B team that plays Orange Free State at the Wanderers on the same dates.

While the rest of the Transvaal A side is somewhat predictable, a significant move would appear to be the choice of Lee Irvine as vice-captain to Ali Bacher, in preference to last year’s choice of Don Mackay-Coghill. The decision in favour of Irvine earmarks him as both a potential Transvaal and Springbok captain of the future.

BACHER DOUBTFUL FOR BIG MATCH

By John Kelley (Sunday Mail, 24 October 1971)

Transvaal cricket captain Ali Bacher is an extremely doubtful starter for the Currie Cup match against Rhodesia which starts in Salisbury on Saturday. The Springbok skipper fractured his right index finger in two places when fielding in a Johannesburg domestic match last weekend.

He told me from his rooms in the city: “I will not know for certain whether or not I shall make the trip to Rhodesia until Tuesday. But at the moment it looks doubtful.” If Bacher pulls out of the Transvaal side, Lee Irvine will take over.

Bacher’s loss would be a tremendous fillip to Rhodesia because Transvaal have already been weakened in many departments during the close season with the departure of key players.

MACKAY-COGHILL IS TRANSVAAL HOPE

The Procter Column; Sunday Mail, 24 October 1971

Currie Cup champions Transvaal should start slight favourites to win their opening match against Rhodesia, which starts at the Police Ground on Saturday. But the fact is they have more than their share of troubles. The Vaal have a long batting line-up and not a strong-looking attack.

They will be relying heavily on Lee Irvine and Peter Carlstein, particularly if Ali Bacher decides after breaking his right index finger that he is not fit to play. The loss of Tiger Lance to Pretoria will be a big one for them, not least because his all-round capabilities always added extra punch to the attack.

The rest of the batting, with the possible exception of Brian Bath, is made up of just fairly average batsmen who have all had various chances in the A Section without doing particularly well.

The bowling appears a lot weaker than in previous years because of the lack of a real spearhead such as Gary Watson. Malcolm Scott is the man Transvaal will rely on to do this for them. Although I have never seen him bowl he is said to be pretty quick, but inaccurate. He played for Border a couple of seasons back and this will be his first Currie Cup match for Transvaal.

The man on whom Vaal will rely heavily for a few wickets is Don Mackay-Coghill. He will undoubtedly be the danger man. He was unfortunately not to be selected for the Springboks at the end of last season as he always seems to bowl particularly well on fast, bouncing wickets like the Wanderers - and like the Police wicket should be for this match.

The rest of the bowling is pretty average, Rice, Flanagan and Kerr with seam, Bath and Albie During off-spin and de Vaal left-arm. On his day, de Vaal can be a really good bowler, although he bowls far too many loose balls.

Rhodesian success in this match will depend largely on how the batting fares. Our attack must be one of the best in the A Section. It is quite definitely the best balanced and will be strengthened this season by the much improved bowling of Brian Davison. If we can make enough runs in this match we can win - and thus have a good chance of winning the Currie Cup.

Ray Gripper and Duncan Fletcher are batting as well as they ever have. The two Brians, Davison and Oldrieve, appear to be much improved players. John McPhun is carrying on from where he left off last season and should make plenty of runs.

A serious problem does arise about an opening partner for Gripper. A good start is essential on the Police wicket, where the ball does tend to bounce and move around a lot. The likely candidates at this stage appear to be Fletcher, Barbour and Tattersall. Keith Tattersall looked a little out of form last week and this is probably due to his not having played enough competitive cricket in the last season or two.

RHODESIA CALL UP BARBOUR FOR FIRST CAP

By Glen Byrom, Monday 25 October 1971

Brian Barbour, the 20-year-old Matabeleland opening batsman [Note: actually he was not yet 19], will make his debut for Rhodesia in the season’s first A Section Currie Cup match against Transvaal in Salisbury next weekend. He is the only new cap in the team to play Ali Bacher’s men at the Police Ground on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The rest of the team is as expected, although it seems significant that the Old Miltonian teenager Terry Bowes is 12th man. The team is: Ray Gripper (captain), Mike Procter (vice-captain), Brian Barbour, Brian Davison, Jackie du Preez, Duncan Fletcher, Howie Gardiner, Richie Kaschula, John McPhun, Brian Oldrieve, Dave Seagrave. 12th Man, Terry Bowes.

[Note: Stuart Robertson was unavailable to play until January as he was in Britain on a study course.]

For the second season in succession Rhodesia is able to do without her most recent Springbok, off-spinner John Traicos. No other province in Southern Africa has the spin talent of Rhodesia and Jack du Preez and Richie Kaschula will have to maintain top form to keep out Traicos and left-arm spinner Jimmy Mitchell, of Standard Bank.

Du Preez, at least, seems well aware of the challenge. At 29 he has been a Rhodesian regular for over a decade. His performances have not reached great heights in the past two seasons, but this season he seems to have taken a new lease of life and he is the top wicket-taker in the country.

Apart from the two spinners there are three others who will need to do well against Transvaal to keep their places. They are Brian Oldrieve, Duncan Fletcher and Dave Seagrave. Oldrieve failed yesterday and he will be seriously challenged this season by players like Alistair Carlisle and Martin Benkenstein.

Duncan Fletcher, a player with rich all-round talent, had a dismal season in the B Section last year and, apart from one good innings against Old Georgians, has not impressed this season. Ken Tonkin must be a strong contender for his place.

The selectors are obviously putting Terry Bowes at 12th man to give him the feel of Currie Cup cricket. After yesterday’s performance [he took four good Old Hararians wickets in national league] there can be little doubt that he will make his entrance to the Currie Cup this season - thus Dave Seagrave will need to get among the wickets next weekend.

If Bowes plays this season it will be a remarkable achievement, for last year he made a spectacular debut for Rhodesia on the rugby field.

FEATEHRSTONE STEPS UP

Johannesburg; Tuesday 26 October 1971

Norman Featherstone, the young Wanderers’ batsman, has been promoted to the Transvaal A team to meet Rhodesia in the Currie Cup match beginning in Salisbury on Saturday. He replaces Pat Flanagan, who is unavailable because of university examinations.

Last weekend Featherstone was named captain of Transvaal B who play Free State at the Wanderers this weekend. Leadership now passes to the Old Parktonians’ batsmen, Doug Neilson.

Mr Eric Rowan, convener of the selection committee, said last night that if the Transvaal captain, Ali Bacher, decided not to travel to Rhodesia because of his injured finger, Ray White would be the replacement. Bacher, who did not play league cricket at the weekend, will bat in the nets this evening and then decide on his fitness.

KEEP IT DARK, TRAICOS MEANS BUSINESS

By Glen Byrom, Wednesday 27 October 1971

It was dark. His clubmates were probably on their third pints in the bar. Yet the lone figure of John Traicos remained at the Salisbury Sports Club nets last night bowling to an imaginary batsman.

Rhodesia’s most recent cricket Springbok was struggling to find the rhythm and form that had won him a place in one of South Africa’s greatest Test teams. That form has seemingly deserted him and John Traicos, Springbok, is not considered good enough at the moment to play for Rhodesia.

This weekend, against Transvaal, Jack du Preez and Richie Kaschula will be providing the spin. Traicos will be watching.

But the dark, sharp-featured Salisbury history teacher is determined that will change. He has far too much cricket in him to see him sidelined for long . . . and that must be a warning to Kaschula and du Preez.

What is the problem? “I’m bowling too open,” said Traicos last night. “It’s a bad habit I got into two seasons ago when I was bowling a lot of overs for Rhodesia and trying to keep it tight. I just got more and more open. I’ve known about this problem for some time, but it’s difficult to get side on and get the left leg across.

“Practice is the only thing and Hugh Tayfield has helped me a lot in the past few weeks. He told me I was trying to turn the ball too much and in doing so I was opening up too early. I’m naturally disappointed not to have made the Rhodesian team, but on my results I did not expect to. If you’re not taking wickets you can’t be picked, no matter who you are.”

WRECKER OF REPUTATIONS

Herald correspondent: Bulawayo (Thursday 28 October 1971)

Not since Percy Mansell and Colin Bland were selected to play for Rhodesia while still at school has any cricketer come closer than Brian Barbour to representing his country when in his teens. And yet this 18-year-old product of Milton School is far from overawed at the prospect of facing last year’s Currie Cup champions, Transvaal, in Rhodesia’s first provincial match of the season at the Police Ground, Salisbury, on Saturday.

Such is his temperament that he’s really looking forward to the game. “I’ll probably be a little nervous when I walk out to bat,” he said in Bulawayo yesterday, “but once I hit a few in the middle I’ll play as I normally do.”

Reputations mean nothing to this likeable young man who left school this year and now works as a bank clerk, and he’ll probably treat Don Mackay-Coghill and his fellow Transvaalers with the same contempt as he does Bulawayo First League bowlers.

“For some reason,” Barbour continued, “I prefer to play against bowlers of repute. Mike Procter is always a big challenge for me and I seem to do well when playing against him. I find I concentrate more and work harder against him.” And Barbour isn’t kidding. Last season, playing his first game for Matabeleland, he caned both Procter and Dave Seagrave, medium-pacer Duncan Fletcher and spinner Jack du Preez as he raced to a glorious 98.

Possibly, then, the Rhodesian selectors should have blooded him against the weaker B Section teams instead of leaving him until a vital match like the one this weekend.

He had a quite start to his cricketing career - in the back yard of his North End home playing on a makeshift track with elder brother Kevan, who has kept wicket for Matabeleland and now plays regularly for Manicaland. In fact, young Brian’s early cricket sounds very much like that of the very famous South African pair, Graeme and Peter Pollock. They, too, started off in the back yard.

From back yard to junior school - and here came the first steps in Barbour’s advance in technical skill with the bat under the astute coaching of Howard Montgomery and Geoff Lineham.

Having left Milton Junior with a fair reputation, Barbour went to Milton Senior, where he came under the eye of Ronnie Todd, “who,” says Barbour, “helped me tremendously.” From first team it was into the Matabeleland Schools side and then into the Rhodesian Nuffield team in 1969. He did well at the 1969 South African Nuffield Week, hitting two 70s, but last year could collect only two 30s.

Since playing First League, he has scored three centuries, and in the two matches he has played for Matabeleland has totalled 98 and 84.

Barbour recently bought a new bat. His first innings with it was 66 against Procter and Old Hararians last weekend. He hopes it will produce a similar result this weekend against Transvaal.

PROCTER HOLDS VICTORY HOPES

By Glen Byrom; Saturday 30 October 1971

Even with their world-rated Springbok all-rounder, Mike Procter, Rhodesia must start their A Section Currie Cup cricket match against Transvaal as underdogs at the Salisbury Police Ground.

Rhodesia swept through the B Section last season, but what must be remembered is that the seasons before Ray Gripper’s men went down in seven successive A Section matches. In their match two seasons ago Transvaal were outright winners by four wickets, but this is a new-look Rhodesian team with only five of those players retaining their places.

Clearly, Procter is the man Transvaal will fear most. On this fast Police pitch he could rip through the top batting.

Rhodesia will be hoping he can do this . . . and they will also be hoping for a lot of runs from this cricketing genius whose six centuries in a row last season equalled the world record. But this season Rhodesia looks like being more than a one-man team.

It will be interesting to see how giant left-arm slow bowler Richie Kaschula fares in his first A Section match. He will find the batsmen a different proposition to those he encountered last season.

Another potential match-winner for Rhodesia is the jaunty Springbok Jackie du Preez, with a wealth of experience behind him. Du Preez has always done well for Rhodesia at the Police Ground and by working harder at his game this season he has struck his best from for years. The Transvaal batsmen will not find it easy playing him.

The only Rhodesian new cap, 20-year-old [Note: 18] Brian Barbour of Bulawayo, has the talent and confidence to get off to a good start in first-class cricket. Gripper has not announced his batting order, but it is to be hoped he opens with Barbour, who has been presumably chosen for this role.

Stories that either Fletcher or Oldrieve may open seem ridiculous. If Barbour is good enough to play he must bat in his rightful position.

Springbok captain Ali Bacher must know that Rhodesia will be no pushover, but he must also feel secure in the knowledge that he has a fine all-round team. Bacher and fellow Springboks Lee Irvine and Peter Carlstein are capable of big scores, provided they can weather the Procter storm.

AFTER YOU - AND LEE LASHES 120

By John Kelley, Sunday Mail, 31 October 1971

Livewire left-handed Springbok batsman Lee Irvine ripped the Rhodesian attack apart at the Police Ground yesterday, and in a display of penetrating batsmanship against all-comers raced to 120 in 125 minutes. His unorthodox innings, which skipped unpredictably between flashing boundary sequences and bat-leaning sessions, was the exciting anchor to a Transvaal total of 392.

It was the ninth century of his up-and-down career. Twelve fours and five sixes, one of them off an astonished Mike Procter, were the result of beautifully timed cover drives and pulls - plus some strokes you won’t see in any coaching film. It was far from chanceless. He was dropped first by Brian Barbour and then by Ray Gripper, both chances coming shortly after he had reached his 50.

His innings, one of the most entertaining Rhodesian cricket fans will have witnessed, was in fact by courtesy of Gripper. For the Rhodesian skipper, apparently believing the pitch held something special for Mike Procter and Dave Seagrave, put Bacher’s men in to bat when he won the toss.

But in the first hour, as the pitch remained lively but never lost her temper, Bacher and Brian Bath carved out 57 runs, seeing the shine off both the ball and Gripper’s optimism. He had the chagrin of seeing three other Transvaal batsmen get half-centuries. Bath based his innings of 53 on a near-perfect defence, opening out when it suited him for seven fours and three sixes.

Peter Carlstein lived dangerously as always, and when he wasn’t finding a steady flow of runs through the covers, he was keeping Rhodesian hopes alive by constantly flicking at balls outside his off stump.

Rhodesian perseverance brought the score from 276-4 - when Irvine was out - to 307-8, as Howie Gardiner brought off two great stumpings and a catch. But another half-century was to come, Peter de Vaal taking a cheeky 59 and hazarding a ninth-wicket partnership of 68 with Willie Kerr.

Transvaal’s total of 333 at the end of 85 overs gave them seven bonus points on the basis of a point for every 25 runs over 150. Rhodesia picked up four for taking eight wickets - a point for every two.

The calculations had hardly been completed when 18-year-old Bulawayo lad Brian Barbour opened his first-class career by slamming his first ball to the boundary. And there were a few more to come. Barbour treated the Transvaal attack with disdain, particularly Scott, who was also making his debut in this match.

Barbour was undeterred by the fading light, the importance of the occasion or the anxious gaze of Gripper at the other end. Short-arm punched fours sped to the boundary as if he put top-spin on them, and at the close he was 39 not out, and Rhodesia 49 without loss.

Gripper’s decision not to bat may have turned out to be a bad one - and there’ll no doubt be plenty of controversy about it by the ‘Wise Ones After The Event’. But it may not yet be disastrous and a great deal rests on the captain and Barbour this morning.

DEMON BARBOUR TRIMS VAAL WITH 97

By Glen Byrom (Monday 1 November 1971)

Rhodesia’s teenage batting star, Brian Barbour, launched his first-class career in spectacular style at the Salisbury Police Ground yesterday when he pounded 97 runs of Currie Cup champions Transvaal in this A Section match. It was the highest innings by a Rhodesian on debut [Note: only in the first innings on debut; JK Clarke scored a second-innings debut century in 1967/68] and laid the vital foundation of the handsome first innings total of 345 all out.

This was in reply to Transvaal’s 392 all out on Saturday - a lead of 47. At the close of the second day yesterday the visitors were 74 for two. The first-innings bonus points system, in use for the first time this season in Currie Cup, saw Transvaal earn ten points and Rhodesia eight.

Today’s final day (9.45-5.45) opens with little prospect of a win for either team, unless there are dramatic happenings in the first few hours. With a little rain around last night, and Mike Procter in hostile mood, who knows?

What an enthralling, run-packed match this has been so far - a tribute, perhaps, to the bonus points system which seems to have instilled a new sense of urgency in the players.

But yesterday belonged to Brian Barbour. The 18-year-old Bulawayo bank clerk revealed perfect temperament and supreme confidence as he cracked graceful strokes all round the field, particularly relishing the cut and cover drive. Rhodesia has certainly unearthed a cricketer of rare talent and temperament. Nothing ruffled him at the crease, not even the remarks of some Transvaal fielders when they thought he had been caught behind.

From 39 out of the 49 for no wicket overnight, the left-handed Barbour attacked from the start yesterday. At 48 he was dropped at first slip by Norman Featherstone off Malcolm Scott, then coolly clipped the next ball through the covers for three to reach his 50 in only 86 minutes.

And there were no Nervous Nineties for Brian the Brave. He struck the ball as sweetly and as confidently as he had done all morning, until tragedy struck when he was only three short of the magical ‘ton’. He cut at a shortish ball from off-spinner Brian Bath, only to find Featherstone perfectly positioned to take the low catch at short third man.

In the dressing room the congratulations were showered on him, but there was not a hint from Barbour of either elation about such a dream debut or despondency about not reaching 100. “I enjoyed batting out there,” he said. “It was really great.”

Rhodesia resumed at 49-0 but Gripper was soon yorked by Scott for seven. John McPhun was impressive for his 33 in 110 minutes, before getting a touch to an attempted cut off Bath.

Brian Oldrieve was painfully slow at first, taking 110 minutes for his first 16 runs. Normally an attacking player, he was obviously desperately searching for form, but meanwhile over after over slipped away and with them possible bonus points. When he did hit out he struck two superbly timed sixes before driving a ball to mid-off to be out for 40 in 126 minutes.

Procter belted two glorious fours to flash the warning lights at Transvaal, then unaccountably he hit a full toss on the leg to Albie During at midwicket to be out for only 13.

Brian Davison, oozing confidence and hitting with tremendous power and timing, raced to an even-time 30 before being bowled having an old-fashioned hoick, while Howie Gardiner lofted two straight sixes and then presented mid-off During with a timid catch.

Duncan Fletcher went quickly, caught at second slip, while number seven Jack du Preez had been going along merrily, playing a variety of typically impish and effective strokes. Richie Kaschula weighed in with some hefty hits and soon he and du Preez had put on 50 for the ninth wicket. Off-spinner Brian ‘Bubbles’ Bath claimed both in quick succession to end the innings with figures of five for 56, a magnificent feat on this perfect pitch.

Transvaal were left 100 minutes’ batting, but bad light stopped play 15 minutes early with Bath and Carlstein back in the pavilion. Bath was brilliantly caught by Fletcher at fine leg. He hooked Seagrave and the ball soared for what seemed like a certain six. But Fletcher ran 15 yards and plucked the ball out of the sky as it was dropping over the boards.

Carlstein was leg-before to Procter, but the batsman obviously thought the ball had hit his bat first.

BARBOUR CAME SO CLOSE TO 100 ON DEBUT

By Glen Byrom (Monday 1 November 1971)

Bulawayo’s 18-year-old Brian Barbour yesterday came desperately close to becoming the first Rhodesian to score a century on debut in first-class cricket. With the confidence and flair of a veteran star, the left-hand opener tore into the Transvaal attack to score 97 on the second day of this A Section Currie Cup match at the Salisbury Police Ground.

His most productive strokes were the cut and cover drive, both played with glorious timing and little backlift. But he lived dangerously at times, particularly when attempting to cut almost everything outside the off stump. It was to be his downfall, tragically only three short of the magic century. Barbour cut a shortish ball from off-spinner Brian Bath straight to short third man Norman Featherstone. As he walked from the field the Salisbury crowd of 4000 gave the Bulawayo bank clerk a standing ovation.

Barbour, who will be 19 on December 18, and is only four months out of school, batted 159 minutes and hit 14 fours. He was dropped once, on 48, at first slip by Featherstone.

Second highest scorer for Rhodesia yesterday was Springbok Jack du Preez, whose 64 was packed with good strokes and was his highest score in three years for Rhodesia. The match ends today.

RHODESIA TOO QUICK TO CALL OFF CHASE

By Glen Byrom, Tuesday 2 November 1971

A finely judged declaration by Transvaal skipper Ali Bacher set Rhodesia the generous task of scoring 290 runs in 235 minutes for victory in the A Section Currie Cup cricket match at the Police Ground, Salisbury, yesterday. But after Ray Gripper and Brian Barbour had made a brisk start of 39 in five overs to light a spark of hope, a sudden shower of rain cost 19 minutes of time and prompted Rhodesia to plod out for a draw.

With the shutters up, the Rhodesian batting became aimless and lacking in resolution, and when bad light ended play three overs early Gripper’s men were straining under the pressure at 182 for seven. So the result was a draw, with Transvaal earning 10 bonus points under the new system, and Rhodesia claiming eight. There are no points for a first innings lead.

At times Rhodesia played poor cricket - for example their fielding lapses on the first day and some downright foolhardy shots by a few experienced batsmen on the second day. Criticism will be levelled at Gripper for winning the toss and putting Transvaal in on a perfect batting strip. And there can also be criticism of the stage where Rhodesia tossed away a certain bonus point by failing to evaluate the situation.

But generally, Rhodesia emerged with great credit, for it was easily their most convincing display in A Section for many years.

Bacher and Irvine resumed Transvaal’s second innings at 74 for two yesterday, obviously seeking quick runs and a lunch declaration. But with Fletcher and Kaschula bowling with great accuracy, runs were at a premium, even for such class batsmen.

Irvine had several rousing strokes, then swung a ball from Fletcher to midwicket, where substitute fielder Terry Bowes took the catch. Bowes fielded all morning for John McPhun, who injured a shoulder on Sunday.

Irvine’s 46 took 97 minutes, with seven fours. Rhodesian hopes of a dramatic collapse flickered momentarily when first Albie During lofted a catch to the covers and Norman Featherstone was out leg=before, both to Kaschula.

Bacher and left-hander Peter de Vaal stepped up the run tempo and when Bacher was out the total was 179 for six. Transvaal batted on 25 minutes after lunch, with de Vaal plundering 58 runs and Clive Rice 20 before Bacher’s declaration.

Rhodesia had to accept the challenge and hopes were high for a dramatic finish, especially when debut boy Barbour and Gripper raced to 39 runs in the first 23 minutes. When Gripper was well caught at deep point by Scott it was Brian Oldrieve who strode to the crease.

Here, I believe, was a blunder. Quick runs were urgently needed to keep Rhodesia in the hunt, yet the obviously talented Oldrieve had struggled to find his flowing rhythm in the first innings, and had laboured 126 minutes for his 40 runs.

Why not send Howie Gardiner or Brian Davison with instructions to hit out? Perhaps it would be sacrifice. But it could just as easily have seen Rhodesia race ahead of the clock. Even two wickets could have been sacrificed, if necessary. The risk seemed worthwhile with a solid batting line-up to follow and to close up if necessary. Oldrieve was tamed for many overs and Barbour also fell into a temporary rut as Rhodesia’s hopes melted away, to be finally ended by a shower of rain later.

Barbour, batting with splendid youthful verve, scored his second half-century in his debut match in 129 minutes, before being caught for 55 at second slip. He hit seven fours.

Oldrieve was bowled attempting to drive and Procter was forced to play an out-of-character innings of 50 in 80 minutes before tapping a catch back to bowler de Vaal. Davison, Gardiner and du Preez quickly followed and Bacher crowded the bat, seeking victory. But he was thwarted by bad light and the match ended in anti-climax . . . and a draw.

TRANSVAAL WERE IN TROUBLE - BACHER

Sunday Mail, 2 November 1971

Transvaal and Springbok captain Ali Bacher was surprised Rhodesia did not go all out for victory in their second innings yesterday. Sipping a beer in the dressing room, Bacher said: “I was very surprised to see them close up, even after the rain. I thought they only needed to play normal cricket to win and after they had scored 40 in the first five overs I thought we were in deep trouble, especially as Rhodesia had some hard-hitting batsmen and the pitch was so good.”

Bacher also said he was surprised at Gripper asking Transvaal to bat first, although events had somewhat justified the decision.

On the bonus points system Bacher commented: “At first I had my doubts, but now I’m sure it will lead to more positive cricket.”

Bacher and Transvaal manager Johnny Waite, the former Springbok wicket-keeper, were enthusiastic about the talent of 18-year-old Brian Barbour. Said Bacher: “He’s an exciting player. There are flaws in his batting, but he has great potential and it certainly is refreshing to see a youngster with the confidence to play shots like he does.”

Waite was ‘very impressed with his confidence and temperament’.

WHY WE PUT TRANSVAAL IN TO BAT

The Procter Column: Sunday Mail, 7 November 1971

Why did Ray Gripper put Transvaal in to bat on what turned out to be a good batting wicket? Why did Rhodesia not make a better effort to get 290 runs in 235 minutes on Monday afternoon to win the match?

These have been the subject of much discussion and a good deal of criticism since our first Currie Cup match of the season last weekend.

Let me say at once that our bowling and fielding of the first day left a lot to be desired, and we certainly let Transvaal off the hook. We bowled and fielded much better on the Monday, but by then it was too late.

The Police wicket has always had a lot of life on the first morning of any match and at times the bowlers have really been on top. I can recall two games last season, one in which Border were in a desperate mess against us on the first morning at one run scored for five wickets down, and the other in which Rhodesia were in trouble against Western Province at five runs for three wickets lost.

On those occasions the wicket looked better for batting on than the wicket prepared for us against Transvaal. It really looked much greener than we have ever seen it before, so it was logical to think that the wicket would do a great deal more than the others had done. That was enough. Ray had no hesitation in asking Bacher to bat.

As it turned out it was a beautiful batting wicket from the start. But I am convinced that had Bacher won the toss, he would have put Rhodesia in. On a good batting wicket like this one, and two good batting sides to use it, the best chance you have to win, is to bat last and hope you can do it well enough.

Which brings me to the other point - and here I think we have been really unfairly criticized.

Ali Bacher set us a fair target of 290 runs to get in 235 minutes. But what a lot of people seem to forget is that to score just under 300 runs in less than an afternoon against an A Section attack takes some doing. We were going to give it a go, and make no mistake we would have loved to beat Transvaal.

We made a good start but when Ray Gripper was out the scoring rate dropped considerably. Brian Oldrieve, a good player against pace, came in instead of John McPhun, who was injured. Then the rain came, making the wicket more difficult to bat on. Oldrieve was bowled by a ball that came back a lot off the wicket - for the first time in the entire game.

Transvaal were bowling well at this stage and to go for runs any longer would have been suicidal. After a break of 20 minutes for rain the chase was never on. We would have had to score seven or eight an over - virtually impossible.

I wonder what the critics would have said had we gone all the way for run and been bowled out for 120? As it was we lost seven wickets.

Brian Barbour certainly had a fantastic debut by any standards. The most impressive part about him is his wonderful temperament. A lot of players given chances in Currie Cup cricket don’t shape because they play defensively instead of playing their normal game.

It was wonderful to see somebody who refused to be overawed by the occasion, and to go out and bat in the same way that he normally does. He gave a real lesson for players who may make their debut for Rhodesia in the future.

Eastern Province have been strengthened this year by the return of Sibley McAdam and by the inclusion of Nottinghamshire batsman Pasty Harris. Easterns’ record has not been too good in recent years, but with players of this calibre and with Graeme and Peter Pollock and Dassie Biggs, they will be a formidable combination when Rhodesia play them in Bulawayo next weekend.

The Queens wicket is probably slow and a result is not likely unless there’s some rain about to assist the bowlers. But if the wicket turns I think we will have the upper hand.