At Wanderers, Johannesburg; 28, 29, 31 January 1972. Transvaal (124 and 315) lost to Rhodesia (410 and 31/1) by nine wickets. - TRANSVAAL v RHODESIA (Currie Cup match) CricInfo report

Reports taken from The Herald unless otherwise stated.

TRANSVAAL CALL UP PACEMAN

From John Kennedy, Johannesburg; Wednesday 19 January 1972

For the first time this season a genuine fast bowler may be in the Transvaal Currie Cup team. Gavin Martin, who spearheads the West Rand attack, is among 12 players from whom the Transvaal side to meet Rhodesia at the end of the month will be selected.

The choice of Martin is interesting. After being overlooked all season – he could not even find a place in the Transvaal B team – he is selected ahead of the regular Transvaal B opening bowler, Tony Welthagen.

Martin was given a place in the Transvaal team which played South African Schools 10 days ago after Mackay-Coghill was forced to withdraw. His selection yesterday is doubtless based on the good form he showed in that match.

Whether the West Rand paceman can provide the answer to Transvaal’s fast bowling problem remains to be seen. But if he is given a place in the final team he would help relieve the heavy burden Mackay-Coghill has shouldered all season, and give the attack a more balanced appearance.

Viv Greve, the Old Edwardians’ leg-spin bowler and top-order batsman, who took seven University wickets for 17 at the weekend, is also in the 12.

Clive Rice returns after being dropped for the Western Province match, but David van der Knapp and Duncan Lindsay-Smith lose their places.

The 12 players are: Ali Bacher (captain), Brian Bath, Peter Carlstein, Lee Irvine, Rice, Peter de Vaal, Willie Kerr, Mackay-Coghill, Norman Weightman, Kevin McKenzie, Greve and Martin.

Mr Eric Rowan, convener of the selectors, said yesterday that the final 11 would be decided either on the day of the match or the afternoon before. It is likely the final choice will be between Martin and Greve, and will depend on the weather and the condition of the pitch. [Note: In the end Weightman was omitted.]

CURRIE CUP SEASON EXTENDED

By Glen Byrom; Monday 24 January 1972

South Africa’s batting supreme, Rands-for-runs man Barry Richards, will be seen in action in Rhodesia in the next few months. This is certain after yesterday’s decision by the South African Cricket Association to extend the A Section Currie Cup programme to a full series of home and away matches.

With the prospect of a Colin Cowdrey team touring South Africa the Currie Cup was scheduled for six matches a province. Now that tour is off it is possible to stage a full Currie Cup programme.

So Rhodesia will play against Natal in Salisbury or Bulawayo and will have to go to Cape Town again to play Western Province. Their recent match was a friendly, while Westerns play in Salisbury in mid-February. No dates or venues have been fixed for Natal’s match in Rhodesia.

Told of the extended programme last night, the President of the Rhodesia Cricket Union, Mr Charles Martin, said: “We were asked last Friday if we were agreeable and I said we would be delighted. If Natal come I can’t say if the match will be in Salisbury or Bulawayo, or when it will be.”

The extra two matches are a blessing for Rhodesia as they allow more breathing space in efforts to move off the bottom of the A Section table.

The following is part of a South African Cricket Association statement issued to Iana: At its meeting over the weekend the South African Cricket Association reiterated its desire to hold a meeting with other associations controlling cricket in South Africa, and will again approach these associations with a view to arranging such a meeting at which the problems confronting cricket and its players throughout South Africa can be discussed . . .

The association has agreed in principle to an extension of Currie Cup fixtures in the A Section to enable a complete series of home and away fixtures to be completed by each team in the competition. A preliminary programme of matches has been sent to the provincial unions concerned for their consideration . . .

The Board viewed the reports of unsportsmanlike behaviour by certain players in the Currie Cup matches with deep concern. It reiterates its support for actions taken in this regard by provincial unions and has called for full reports from the unions concerned.

CAPTAINCY GOES TO PROCTER

By Glen Byrom; 24 January 1972

Mike Procter is Rhodesia’s new cricket captain. He will lead the 12-man team on its two-match tour to South Africa starting this week and will have Stuart Robertson as his vice-captain.

In other bold new moves, the four selectors have brought in two young seam bowlers for their first-class debuts – Vincent Hogg (Alexandra) and Paddy Clift (Old Georgians).

Deposed captain Ray Gripper retains his place as opening batsman. Dropped from the last tour team are batsmen John McPhun and Brian Oldrieve of Mashonaland, and opening bowler Terry Bowes, of Matabeleland.

The 12 to tour are: Mike Procter (Mash), capt., Stuart Robertson (Mash), vice-capt., Brian Barbour (Mat), Patrick Clift (Mash), Brian Davison (Mash), Jack du Preez (Mash), Duncan Fletcher (Mash), Howie Gardiner (Mash), Ray Gripper (Mash), Vincent Hogg (Mash), Richie Kaschula (Mash), Jimmy Mitchell (Mash).

The team leaves with manager Alwyn Pichanick by air for Johannesburg on Thursday and play Ali Bacher’s Transvaalers in an A Section Currie Cup match at the Wanderers on Friday, Saturday and Monday. The friendly match against Northern Transvaal is in Pretoria next week, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The 18-year-old Clift is a surprising choice, though a commendable one. His selection shows a welcome new policy by the selectors to be more adventurous in giving untried young players a chance.

Clift is a fine prospect for the future and Messrs Pichanick, Pithey, Mansell and Partridge must be applauded for blooding him now. He has the temperament to succeed in the tension-riddled A Section and I predict he will develop into one of this country’s most outstanding cricketers.

Clift, who was 18 in November, has only been out of St George’s College a few weeks and started work in the Government (Treasury Department) last Monday. He has played Rhodesia Nuffield for the past two years and won his South African Schools’ cap this year.

“I can’t really express myself,” he said from Gwelo last night after hearing of his selection. “I just sat stunned for about five minutes and I didn’t know what was going on.”

Vince Hogg, who turned 20 last July, has been opening the bowling for Alex with good results this season. He stands 6ft 3in and cuts the ball both ways off the pitch, as does Clift.

Hogg is currently doing his national training in the Air Force at New Sarum. He went to Allan Wilson School and played Rhodesia Nuffield in 1969 and 1970 and South African Schools in 1970. In his last year at school Hogg took a record 44 wickets in only six games.

The axing of McPhun and Oldrieve was expected, while Bowes did not come up to expectations on the recent tour, though time is on his side and he will certainly be a contender in the future.

Giving Procter the captaincy is an enterprising move. The blond Springbok is sure to be an authoritative and demanding leader, while he has the stature to command full respect from his team.

Making the stylish left-hander Stuart Robertson vice-captain shows the selectors look to him as Rhodesia’s future leader and it is wise to groom him under pr for a couple of years.

PADDY CLIFT: A COOL COMPETITOR

A Rhodesian cricketer . . . 18-year-old Paddy Clift just can’t believe it has happened to him. He left school a few short weeks ago and now he is packing his bags for the two-match South African tour with Mike Procter’s team.

“I’m still pretty stunned,” said Paddy yesterday as he watched driving rain ruin his first chance to practise with his fellow Rhodesians at Old Hararians’ nets.

So from the fields of St George’s College, Clift is rocketing into the tension-riddled atmosphere of Currie Cup cricket. He is retiring and calm by nature, yet this belies his fighting spirit while bowling or batting. In his own assuming way he is a fierce competitor and he has revealed a fine temperament for Old Georgians this season in First League.

Several times his cool, determined batting has saved the club from disaster, while he has been a regular wicket-taker with his accurate and varied swing bowling. He mainly bowls the away-swinger, but has a good in-ducker and can cut the ball both ways off the pitch, using his 6ft 1in to good advantage.

Patrick Bernard Clift, born in Salisbury on July 14, 1953, gives credit to one man for his cricketing ability. That man is Jim Cornford, coach at St George’s College and at Old Georgians Club.

“He is a great coach,” enthuses Paddy. “Over the past few years he has speeded up my bowling off the same run and has got me using more shoulder.”

Mr Cornford’s coaching over the past three years paid handsome dividends last year when Paddy took a record 110 wickets for St George’s in 28 matches.

Paddy, who weighs 175lb, played 2nd XV rugby at centre and fly-half for the College, but now spends the winter playing 3rdteam hockey for his club. He is also interested in squash, but cricket remains top of the list, and this year he played for South African Schools against Transvaal at the Wanderers.

He returns there this Friday with 11 other Rhodesians who are on an important mission to salvage this country’s cricketing pride.

PROCTER OFFERED TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

By Glen Byrom; Wednesday 26 January 1972

Mike Procter seems certain to stay in Rhodesia for at least two more years. He has been offered a further two-year contract, which is being drawn up, and Procter said yesterday he intended to sign ‘in the near future’.

The Rhodesia National Sport Foundation, whose sponsors are Rothmans, Shell-BP, Dunlop and Rhodesian Breweries, pay 75 per cent of Procter’s salary, with the Rhodesia Cricket Union meeting 25 per cent and expenses.

A Sport Foundation spokesman said yesterday: “We can only commit our funds for a season at a time, but we have told the RCU to go ahead with a two-year contract. We are agreeable, provided funds come in in the normal way.”

The prospect of Procter remaining in the country for a further two years was obviously the influencing factor in awarding him the captaincy.

VINCE HOGG: AMBITION FULFILLED

Wednesday 26 January 1972

Ever since Vince Hogg went to the Wanderers as an Under-15 Rhodesian Fawn he has had the burning ambition to play for Rhodesia. He gets his chance on Friday at that famous stadium where he will open the bowling with Mike Procter against Transvaal.

“I don’t think I’ll be nervous,” says the 6ft 3in, 196lb Vince. “I’ve been preparing myself mentally for a long time in the hope of selection one day.”

His confidence shines through and he says Rhodesia should be able to beat Transvaal. His big test, of course, will be opening the bowling to Springbok captain Ali Bacher and then bowling to such stars as Peter Carlstein and Lee Irvine. But he is not overawed, though his main thoughts since hearing his selection on Sunday have been: “How should I bowl to them?”

Vincent Richard Hogg was born in Salisbury on July 3, 1951, and went to Belvedere Junior School, where he was cricket captain. He has always been an opening bowler and at Allan Wilson School in 1969 he was the star of an unbeaten team, taking 96 wickets in a year.

The coach who has helped him most is the former Rhodesian and Springbok bowler, Len Brown, who is also a former Sports Editor of the Rhodesia Herald and now enjoying his retirement as groundsman at Durban’s Kingsmead.

“Mr Brown took a lot of interest in me which I appreciated and he coached me from Under-13. He showed me the basics of bowling and I have a lot to thank him for.”

Hogg started his Air Force training in August and will come out on April 18. During his training he has reached top fitness and this has helped him in his bowling. “I have noticed a big difference when bowling in league for Alex,” he says.

He has played for Alex for the past four years and played Rhodesia Nuffield in 1969 and 1970, and South African Schools against Free State in 1970 at Bloemfontein. Squash and rugby are his other interests.

RHODESIA’S NEW CAPTAIN TALKING: WE NEED POSITIVE BATTING TO END SLUMP

By Glen Byrom; Wednesday 26 January 1972

“Transvaal are very overrated by the critics. They have a limited attack and we can beat them.” Mike Procter, newly appointed Rhodesian cricket captain, was talking yesterday about this week’s A Section Currie Cup match against Ali Bacher’s men at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

The Springbok won’t hear of suggestions that the team has lost confidence and will finish bottom of the Currie Cup table. “I have predicted that Rhodesia will win the Currie Cup within the next three years and nothing has happened to make me change my mind.

“All this season our approach and confidence on the field has been good, it’s just been a question of bad batting. Our batsmen must learn to play positively without throwing away their wickets.”

Mike Procter is delighted he is captain and he intends to have an aggressive approach. “I’m very pleased about being made captain. I know I’ll enjoy it because the more involved in the game I am the better I like it.

“This is a great challenge for me, especially with Rhodesia in its present position. I have no fixed ideas about captaincy, I’m just going to go into every game and aim to win. I don’t want dreary draws and I would rather we won two and lost two than draw all four of our remaining games.”

Captaincy will be nothing new for Procter. He was captain of his Natal school (Hilton) and also of Natal Schools and he is vice-captain of Gloucestershire during the English season. He heard of his appointment at an Inyanga hotel on Sunday evening, where he was enjoying a few days’ rest with his wife Maryna and son Greg.

What is his attitude to long hair in the Rhodesian team? “I think it’s up to the individual,” said Procter. “If he wants long hair, let him have it. He obviously feels better for it and I don’t think it can affect his cricket.”

Procter also spoke about Rhodesia’s two new caps, seamers Paddy Clift and Vince Hogg. “Paddy looks medium-pace, but the ball comes on to you quicker than you expect. He would be a very useful bowler at the Wanderers, while I also think he is a very underrated batsman. Vince moves the ball more than most seamers of his pace and with his height he gets a lot of bounce. The Wanderers should also suit him.”

Meanwhile, Transvaal captain Ali Bacher has spoken about this Friday’s match against Rhodesia. “Our aim must be simply to play good cricket . . . there will be no drastic measures,” he said in Johannesburg. Transvaal trail Natal by 12 points in the A Section, but have a game in hand.

Bacher does not underrate Rhodesia. “Their bottom place in the table belies their ability. They are a good side – we saw that in Salisbury – and they made a deep impression in the Gillette Cup game in November.”

However, the Springbok captain is still confident Transvaal will retain the Currie Cup, which they won outright last season by beating Natal in the final game at Kingsmead.

CRICKETERS CHASING THEIR PRIDE

From Glen Byrom; Friday 28 January 1972

The extension of the A Section Currie Cup is a reprieve for Rhodesia as it gives Mike Procter’s battle-scarred side an unexpected chance to restore a measure of pride and to move off the bottom of the table. But to do so outstanding results are desperately needed in the remaining three games and the mission begins here at the Wanderers Stadium today against Transvaal.

The three-day match against Ali Bacher’s Currie Cup champions (today, tomorrow and Monday) means make or break for Rhodesia this season. Substantial defeat will mean more gloom and despondency among Rhodesian cricket followers and, indeed, the players. Victory would be a morale-booster and could lay the foundation for a convincing fight-back in the A Section.

The recent tour was disappointing so the team is away this time with less expected of them from cricket followers, as disappointment only follows high expectations. The Rhodesians realize their reputations, already tattered, are at stake again. They could be torn to shreds . . . or they could be restored. This match will tell.

The tonic needed to jolt several players into the right frame of mind has been provided by the national selectors. Normally conservative, they surprised with their bold decision to drop Ray Gripper as captain after three years and to blood two young seamers in Paddy Clift and Vince Hogg.

This can be taken as a policy change. Reputations will count for less in the future, form will be the criterion. The selectors have shown they will drop any man not proving his worth.

The final Rhodesian XI will only be named before play this morning, though it seem that 18-year-old new boy Paddy Clift will carry the drinks and Vince Hogg will open the bowling with Procter.

This will be a tough baptism into first-class cricket for Hogg, or Clift if he plays. Transvaal are the champions and they have a formidable batting line-up, including Springboks Ali Bacher, Lee Irvine and Peter Carlstein. If Hogg can come through this searching test, his future is assured. The usually fast, hard Wanderers pitch should be ideal for Hogg’s bowling and he should be able to use his height of 6ft 3in to extract maximum bounce to perturb the batsmen.

This will be, of course, Procter’s debut as Rhodesia’s captain and he will be anxious to make it a memorable one. He has stressed that his approach will be positive and so good cricket can be expected.

Rhodesia return to the Wanderers with bitter memories of their Gillette Cup first round match there in November. In wet conditions Transvaal were bundled out by the spin of du Preez and Rhodesia seemed well set to take the game.

Then came the familiar batting collapse and in a tension-riddled finish Transvaal were the winners by four runs. At least this game showed the Rhodesians they can match Transvaal and they will go into today’s game with this confidence.

In early November the teams drew in their first Currie Cup match in Salisbury with victory on the cards for Rhodesia at one stage. Finally it was an equal draw.

Stuart Robertson at number three should strengthen the Rhodesian batting, for this is a vital position which has plague Rhodesia all season.

Brian Barbour showed in the Gillette match that he relishes the fast Wanderers pitch, while leg-spinner Jack du Preez also enjoys bowling there more than on any other wicket. But he is unlikely to bamboozle this star-studded batting team again with straight-forwards off-breaks, as he did last time. Given the backing of a reasonable first innings score by the batsmen he could prove effective with his leg breaks this time.

The Johannesburg crowd loves Rhodesia and in the final stages of the Gillette Cup they showed their support in no uncertain way.

The experiment of batting Brian Davison at number four has mostly failed so far. The hard-hitting Davison does not particularly care for the new ball and is at his best when attacking the bowling after the shine has been removed. He has been facing a swinging ball because the first two wickets have fallen early and this is where Stuart Robertson must play a vital stabilizing role to allow Davison to come later and play his normal attacking game.

MIKE PROCTER WAS MAGNIFICENT IN . . . RHODESIA’S DAY AT THE WANDERERS

From Glen Byrom, Johannesburg; Saturday 29 January 1972

With six devastating overs of fearsome pace, Rhodesia’s new captain, Mike Procter, destroyed the Transvaal first innings on the first day of the A Section Currie Cup match here at the Wanderers yesterday. In those six overs the blond Springbok snatched five wickets for seven runs and went on to take seven for 32 as Transvaal slumped to a meagre 124 all out. At the close of play Rhodesia has assumed total command with 215 for four, a lead of 91 runs.

Rhodesia denied Transvaal any batting bonus points, claiming the maximum five themselves for dismissing Bacher’s men in 47 overs – well within the allotted 85. By the close Rhodesia had accumulated two batting bonus points in 58 overs with the prospect of several more today.

The rout began in Procter’s first over when the ball cut back sharply at Springbok captain Ali Bacher, got an inside edge, and bowled him.

Then new cap Vincent Hogg, the gangling 6ft 3in Alex opener, took his first wicket in Currie Cup cricket, the vital scalp of Springbok Peter Carlstein.

Hogg’s opening over was a nightmare, with three full tosses and one wide down the leg side. But with the second ball of his second over he shattered Carlstein’s stumps with a perfect yorker.

Procter got rid of Brian Bath and Kevin McKenzie with successive balls with the total 19. Bath prodded forward half-heartedly and the ball cut back beautifully to topple the off stump.

McKenzie was merely beaten by sheer pace, and after half an hour Transvaal were 19 for four. Clive Rice suffered the same fate 10 runs later, and in the same over left-hander de Vaal sparred at a ball outside the off stump to be caught behind for a duck.

Lee Irvine, one of South Africa’s most tearaway batsmen, looked menacing, but in Fletcher’s first over he tried to leg glance and was well taken by wicket-keeper Gardiner. Seven wickets for 31 runs in an incredible first hour.

Then came a fighting 86-run partnership between Willie Kerr and Viv Greve. Kerr was out leg before to Procter half an hour after lunch for 46. Don Mackay-Coghill lasted only a short while before cutting a short ball from Procter straight to Fletcher at gully. In the next over Fletcher wrapped up the innings, bowling Greve middle stump.

The Rhodesian batsmen played superbly and passed the Transvaal total in 32 overs and only 120 minutes. The run-romp started with a boundary-studded 58 (13 fours) by Bulawayo’s teenage left-hander Brian Barbour. He seems to relish this pitch and raced to an exhilarating 50 in only 45 balls and 61 minutes. He was out with the total on 91 after 90 minutes when he played forward and got a faint touch to the wicket-keeper.

Gripper played a vital anchor role as Barbour blazed away but after scoring an attractive 49 gave his wicket away. He had previously pulled a full toss from left-arm spinner de Vaal over midwicket’s head for six and a few overs later lofted another bad ball dangerously near this fielder. The third one was hooked straight into his hands and Rhodesia had lost two wickets for 118 runs.

The graceful batting of left-hander Stuart Robertson added vital solidarity to the top order. His 43 was a model innings and it was a good ball from Martin that got rid of him, caught behind after going forward on the drive.

Brian Davison strode to the wicket in the perfect situation – tailor-made for attack. This he tried to do, but he lived dangerously and after almost being caught a couple of times he was bowled by Martin for 21.

For the first time in many years in A Section cricket, Rhodesia have the scent of victory . . . and Procter is unlikely to let them lose it.

RHODESIA HIT 410: PROCTER’S MEN ALL SET FOR HISTORIC WIN OVER TRANSVAAL

From Glen Byrom; Sunday Mail, 30 January 1972

Rhodesia today reached 400 runs against Transvaal for the first time in 67 years of first-class cricket and could produce a shock victory over the Currie Cup champions when the A Section match ends at the Wanderers on Monday.

It was the irrepressible Mike Procter who spearheaded the runs spree with a fine 83 as Rhodesia romped to 410 all out for a supremely commanding first innings lead of 286. At the close of the second day Transvaal were 127 for two wickets – still 159 behind.

Procter was top scorer but it was a spirited team effort that saw Rhodesia soar to their highest total of the season and their most heartening A Section batting display in many years. The previous highest total against Transvaal was 392 in the 1949-50 season, while in a history of 30 matches Rhodesia has only once beaten Transvaal. And that was 24 years ago in a friendly!

Rhodesia were 288 for six after 85 overs to earn five batting points for a total of 10 while Transvaal earned only three for bowling. Now it remains to be seen in Procter’s men can press home their handsome advantage on Monday to gain revenge for their four-run defeat in the Gillette Cup early this season at the Wanderers.

But this game is by no means over. Brian Bath and Lee Irvine are going well on a perfect batting pitch and Bath has so far plagued the Rhodesian bowlers for 170 minutes for his painstaking 38. There is strong batting to follow, which can hardly collapse as it did yesterday.

Rhodesia resumed at 215 for four this morning and Procter (28) and du Preez (16) continued to play with authority. After an 83-run partnership du Preez was caught at slip and with the incentive of bonus points the hard-hitting Howie Gardiner was promoted to seven. It was a perfect situation for him. But after a scratchy nine runs he lofted off-spinner Bath to long off where de Vaal took an exceptional tumbling catch. Procter reached 50 in 88 minutes and looked rock-solid except for a couple of ‘Chinese’ cuts to fine leg.

On 52, Procter was missed at first slip by Kerr off Rice and the smooth-stroking Springbok went on to make 83 before being yorked by Rice. He batted 146 minutes and hit 14 boundaries. He seemed set for his first century of the season, especially as he had just reached his most majestic form with four blazing drives to the fence off two overs from Rice.

The Rhodesian run chase was far from over, [as] the resolute Jimmy Mitchell and the left-hander Duncan Fletcher came together in a 66-run stand to destroy any slim hope Transvaal had of getting back into this match. Fletcher, assured and fluent, again showed what a complete first-class cricketer he is with a fine innings of 56 before being caught at deep midwicket. The lack-lustre Transvaal bowling was fully exposed, especially the lack of a genuine fast new-ball bowler.

The tension was great as Transvaal started their second innings 286 runs behind. Ali Bacher and Brian Bath, faced with the unenviable task of keeping out the rampant Procter for a quick breakthrough, could have signalled Transvaal’s early downfall. Though he again produced the same frightening pace as yesterday, Procter was not so effective with less swing through the air and movement off the pitch.

The batting, however, was more resolute than yesterday and after 47 minutes Procter gave way to leg-spinner Jackie du Preez. The move paid off when Bacher was caught behind attempting to cut and Procter immediately came back to hurl his thunderbolts at Carlstein, a notoriously nervous starter.

The fair-haired Transvaaler had a couple of edgy shots but soon settled down to hit three superb square drives for four off Procter. Tomorrow is a rest day and on the final day on Monday Transvaal face a long haul to avoid defeat.

POISED FOR VICTORY: PROCTER SHOWED THE WAY – TEAM FOLLOWED

By Glen Byrom; Monday 31 January 1972

Rhodesians reading about the national cricket team’s outstanding achievements against Transvaal at the Wanderers might be tempted to think it has been a one-man show, with Mike Procter the star.

This is incorrect. Certainly, the powerfully-built Springbok put Rhodesia in the box seat with unquestionably the finest spell of pace bowling I have ever witnessed on Friday. And he has also captained the side with outstanding verve. But he has received remarkable backing from his team-mates.

The result is that Rhodesia is poised to beat Transvaal outright for the first time in Currie Cup matches – and these began in 1904. Only once have Rhodesia beaten Transvaal, in a friendly in Salisbury in March 1947, when a generous declaration by the visitors saw Rhodesia get home by five wickets. Cricket selector and former Springbok, Percy Mansell, starred in that game, scoring 111 not out and 65.

It is interesting to recall the scores: Transvaal 99 (Singleton 4-20, Tomlinson 4-41) and 410-6 dec. (Melville 74). Rhodesia 357 (Mansell 111 not out, Singleton 72, McDonald 65, Fuller 53) and 156-5 (McDonald 69 not out, Mansell 65).

Never have Transvaal been so comprehensively outplayed as they have been on the first two days of the current match at the magnificent Wanderers Stadium. This ground of many memories cannot have been the stage of a more stirring or more memorable sight than Procter’s firebrand bowling on Friday, when he destroyed Transvaal’s powerful batting lineup with an awe-inspiring spell of 7-32 in 16 overs.

At one stage he had 5-7 in six overs. This was probably the best performance of his star-studded career, for it was achieved on a good batting pitch against the cream of the country’s batsmen, including three Springbok stars in Ali Bacher, Peter Carlstein and Lee Irvine.

Procter’s best analysis was, ironically, against Rhodesia for Natal in Salisbury some four seasons ago on a rain-affected pitch which made batting almost impossible against his pace. But the pitch can be credited little for Procter’s success on Friday. All the players agree that there was only a fractional amount of early morning life in the pitch. It was sheer pulverizing Procter pace and swing that blitzed Transvaal.

The pitch is now completely dead and a batting paradise, thus it is going to take a lot of sweat and toil by Rhodesia today to win this important game. Lee Irvine seems danger man in chief and if he falls early then Transvaal’s hopes of lasting a full seven-hour day will be remote, providing there is no interference by the weather. But it has been blue and sunny since the team arrived last Thursday.

When Transvaal batted a second time on Saturday, Procter was again in full cry, but came up against the fierce concentration of Bacher and Bath. These Transvaalers do not submit easily and it will still be a titanic battle today.

New boy Vince Hogg bowled six impressive overs for 16 runs, finding good length and direction and working up a fair pace, while in the closing stages of the second day, du Preez impressed with his leg-spin. Procter said it was the best he had seen du Preez bowl and so did Lee Irvine, who is adamant that the little Springbok did not produce this form even when selected for South Africa against Bobby Simpson’s Aussies.

Rhodesia’s first innings total of 410 was their highest against Transvaal, beating the 392 in 1950, and it was remarkable to achieve this handsome score without any batsman reaching a century. This clearly reveals what I mean by team effort.

Brian Barbour is a great favourite here and he was given a standing ovation after his rousing 58, scored off only 45 balls. Former Springboks Peter van der Merwe and Roy McLean were both impressed with the aggressive 19-year-old Bulawayo left-hander. Said van der Merwe: “There is an old English saying that you should never judge a cricketer until the second time round, and it’s very true. If Barbour can make runs next season then he’s proved himself a good player, but from what I have seen he is tremendously talented and I admire his natural flair, which I hope he never loses.”

Roy McLean summed up his feelings about the game: “It is quite obvious that Mike Procter has made a tremendous impact on the Rhodesian side and on Friday I think we saw his finest bowling performance. He pitched the ball up all the time and beat the Transvaal batsmen with sheer pace on a pitch that presented no real problems.

“I think Barbour has tremendous potential,” said McLean, “and I admire his outlook. If he gets going he sets the tempo for the rest of the innings. With experience he’ll make his mark in big cricket, but he must be left alone. He’s got a flair for cricket and he must play his strokes. Experience will teach him a little more discretion – a coach will only ruin him.”

THEY’VE MADE IT! RHODESIA END THE A SECTION DROUGHT

By Glen Byrom; Tuesday 1 February 1972

As I write, champagne corks are popping in the Rhodesian dressing room. Mike Procter’s men have scored a crushing nine-wicket victory over mighty Transvaal, the Currie Cup cricket champions since 1968. A group of about 40 delighted Rhodesian fans are outside the dressing room, singing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” and demanding to shake hands with all the Rhodesians.

Yes, after a long drought of six years and 16 matches, Rhodesia have at last won an A Section match. It is their first cup win over Transvaal in almost 70 years of matches between the provinces, and it is the first time Springbok captain Ali Bacher has been captain of a losing Transvaal side at the Wanderers [Note: in Currie Cup matches; Transvaal lost to MCC in 1964/65].

The young Rhodesian lions came here with a meagre record this season. But magnificent Mike Procter, in his debut as skipper, whipped them into shape and made them roar.

The result has been Rhodesia playing quality cricket to attain their true potential for the first time in many years. Their outstanding and oh-so-convincing victory has thrown the Currie Cup wide open.

Aided by some superb fielding, Rhodesia’s bowlers whittled away the Transvaal second innings yesterday, though they were frustrated by a couple of threatening partnerships. But they stuck to their task like leeches, never letting up the pressure, and when Transvaal were eventually all out at 3.25 p.m., Rhodesia were left a handsome 135 minutes for a token 30 for victory.

And it was slamming Brian Barbour, the aggressive left-hander, who hit out to score 29 in only 23 minutes as Rhodesia passed the mark for the loss of Gripper’s wicket.

Transvaal resumed their mission of survival with the total 127-2. Their last slim hopes of saving the match rested on Brian Bath (36) and Lee Irvine (22), and these two played soundly for almost an hour, Bath reaching his 50 in 185 minutes with a neat leg glance for four off Hogg.

Then leg-spinner du Preez replaced Procter and soon broke the ominous-looking partnership when Bath shaped for the cut and snicked the ball to Gardiner to be out for a painstaking 60 in 230 minutes.

The aggressive left-handed Irvine was still a major threat, but his unnecessary dismissal half an hour after Bath’s turned Transvaal’s last hopes to ashes.

Kevin McKenzie was fortunate to survive a royal ‘pair’ when he offered a sharp chance to silly mid-off Davison off his first ball from du Preez, and next over he was understandably nervous and under great pressure as Procter steamed in on him. Off the third ball McKenzie had to play back to a short ball from Procter which got up around his nose and he was on his heels as the ball trickled towards point and Irvine called for a suicidal single.

Understandably, Irvine was trying to get McKenzie away from Procter. But equally understandably McKenzie was thinking of nothing but survival and was not ready for the run. The result was both men at the one crease as the ball was lobbed gently back to the bowler’s end for Irvine to be run out for 45.

Three balls later, Rice was nowhere near a Procter thunderbolt and had his stumps shattered by a ball that cut back sharply from the off. Two wickets had fallen for one run.

Then the slim McKenzie settled down to play a string of attractive strokes off du Preez and at lunch he was undefeated with 41, and Transvaal were 224 for six.

Shortly after lunch, left-hander Peter de Vaal was bowled by Jimmy Mitchell for five – the ball spinning back to hit his stumps after he had played back. With four and a half hours left, Transvaal still needed 62 to make Rhodesia bat again.

McKenzie reached a fluent 50 in 113 minutes when he stroked Hogg through the covers for four. Next over, however, McKenzie popped up a catch off a viciously-rising ball from Procter and short-leg Ray Gripper dived full length to his right to hold the catch inches off the turf.

Greve survived a sharp chance to first slip off Fletcher, with Kaschula reacting slowly, but two overs later Fletcher moved one away from Kerr and Procter snapped up the catch at second slip to make Transvaal 256-8 – still 30 behind.

Procter was unable to finish off the innings and gave way to du Preez, with Transvaal only eight runs off making Rhodesia bat again. This they reached with four byes through Gardiner’s legs off du Preez.

Greve was again in gritty mood and found a willing partner in left-hander Don Mackay-Coghill. But after a courageous 52-minute partnership of 43, Mackay-Coghill skipped down the pitch to du Preez and attempted to drive. The snick went to Procter at first slip.

In a desperate show of resistance, Greve cracked du Preez for two fours and a two in one over, and at the other end Procter replaced Kaschula in an effort to administer the coup de grace. This he did with his fourth ball when Greve went on the drive and Stuart Robertson snapped up a magnificent catch, diving to his right at second slip.

This left Rhodesia 135 minutes to get the 30 for this rare victory, and Barbour hooked Martin’s second ball for four, eight coming off the over.

In the second over Barbour was dropped by Kerr at first slip off Mackay-Coghill, but two balls later de Vaal dived full stretch to pick up a superb catch at fine leg-slip to dismiss Gripper.

In Martin’s second over the casual-looking Barbour straight drove a full toss to the fence, then cracked a short ball through midwicket for his third boundary as the total reached 17 in three overs.

Leg-spinner Greve replaced Martin and in his second over Barbour pulled a short ball for four, taking a two and a four off the next two balls to take the total to 29. It was Barbour who deservedly hit the winning runs, hooking Greve for two. It had taken 26 minutes to get the 30.

PROCTER BEAT TRANSVAAL – SAYS ALI Bacher

Johannesburg; Wednesday 2 February 1972

Ali Bacher is making no excuses for Transvaal’s crushing defeat at the hands of Rhodesia – their second Currie Cup defeat in successive matches. “They played very good cricket,” he said yesterday, “and we were simply outplayed.”

But Bacher is not pessimistic. “We came across a great cricketer at the top of his form – and that was that. It could be said that Mike Procter beat Transvaal. We’ve been through a bit of a bad period, but I’m sure we’ll come right. It has not been for want of practice or enthusiasm – it is just one of those things that happen in cricket.”

Could Transvaal still retain the Currie Cup? “A lot of hard work has to be done,” he said, “but all is not lost.”

With three matches to play, Transvaal, comfortable leaders after their big win over Natal at Christmas, trail Pat Trimborn’s team by nine points. Rhodesia are a further six points behind, and Eastern Province a further 14 points back with a game in hand.

Western Province trail Natal by 30 points, but have played two fewer matches. With the return of Eddie Barlow and Hylton Ackerman, Andre Bruyns’ team could become a force in the competition.

So could Rhodesia under Mike Procter’s inspired captaincy. Jackie du Preez, who has played for the country for 12 years, says he has never seen Rhodesia play better than they did at the Wanderers. With the season extending to two full rounds, the Currie Cup could be heading for a nail-biting climax.