CHANGED DATE

Friday 8 November 1968

The Transvaal Cricket Union has agreed to a request from Rhodesia that the Currie Cup A Section fixture, due to start on Salisbury on November 30, be put back a week. The match will now be played on November 7, 8 and 9.

The reason for the Rhodesian request was . . . golf. Gary Player and Billy Casper play a match on a Salisbury course on November 30, which would have been a big gate-taking day for the Rhodesia-Transvaal cricket match. Hence the Rhodesian request.

WHO PLAYS AGAINST TRANSVAAL? MIKE SHACKLOCK DESERVES A CHANCE

By Glen Byrom (Sunday Mail, 24 November 1968)

A question mark hangs over the fitness of Derrick Townshend for Rhodesia's A Section Currie Cup cricket match against Transvaal at the Police Ground, Salisbury, on December 7, 8 and 9. If the lanky off-spinner can satisfy the selectors on this point within the next few days I expect no changes from the team which fared so encouragingly against Natal recently.

If Townshend's swollen elbow prevents him from playing, the choice would probably lie between the left-hander Mike Shacklock and the promising young off-spinner John Traicos.

I believe that Traicos would probably get the selectors' vote, although Shacklock has fully earned his first Rhodesian cap with his enterprising bowling this season and, personally, I would prefer to see him in the Transvaal game before either Townshend or Traicos.

Townshend's ability as a tight, defensive bowler must be admired. He served his purpose admirably against Natal by sealing up one end while a bowler like Jack du Preez attacked from the other. But is this correct policy?

South African cricket has swept to the top of the international cricket tree in recent years because the emphasis has been on attack. And Rhodesian cricket should follow this example. This means attacking the batsman from BOTH ENDS and making wickets not the saving of runs - the prime concern.

Townshend did a fine job against National by keeping so many talented batsmen quiet and taking one for 80 in 40 overs . . . but he seldom troubled the batsmen. Shacklock might concede more runs, but he would also stand a greater chance of taking wickets.

What about Traicos? The 21-year-old Natal University spinner, whom Trevor Goddard rates so highly, obviously will be a valuable man to Rhodesian cricket in the years ahead. He will be available for the Transvaal game, although if selected he would have to drop out of the inter-varsity tournament in Bloemfontein over the same period.

However, the selectors have not seen him in action since last season and it would perhaps be unfair to those playing regularly in Rhodesia if he were chosen. Traicos will return within the next few weeks and should play In a few league matches before being considered.

It is a great pity that a place will probably not be found for Stuart Robertson. The tall left-hander is ripe for big cricket and will obviously go on tour next month. It would be ideal if he could make his debut in a home match, but he could only do so at the expense of Tony Pithey, who is far too valuable to drop even if he cannot tour.

This means that Robertson will probably have a fiery baptism against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth on December 26, 27, and 28. Province have, perhaps, the finest pace trio in Southern Africa - Peter Pollock, Sibley McAdam and Gordon Den.

Tony de Caila has always had many detractors because of his stolid batting and the Howie Gardiner fans are dismayed that the lanky Alexandra wicket-keeper-batsman has been passed over. But let's be realistic. I am one of Gardiner's greatest supporters, but on current form he cannot hope to displace the reliable Bulawayo man.

On form, Gardiner is a brilliant batsman who can savage an attack and in this mood he would fit perfectly into the Rhodesian side. However, he seems to have lost a little confidence and concentration in recent weeks in both batting and wicket-keeping.

De Caila could not be faulted against Natal. He gave a polished display behind the stumps - as usual - and he showed a commendable sense of responsibility and application in his batting. On tour, de Caila could be a very valuable man.

It was noticeable against Natal that when Gripper was out second ball of the innings, Pithey and not Carlstein came in at No 3. Carlstein is at his best when he comes in with a few runs on the board . . . he is not happy being virtually an opener if a quick wicket falls.

With Pithey not available for the tour, who could play this role? Stuart Robertson certainly could not be burdened with the responsibility. Tony de Caila would be the ideal man.

It was heartening to see Ray Gripper bat so well in the second innings against Natal after his 'duck' in the first innings. However, the ball that bowled him must rate as one of the finest deliveries ever unleashed by Springbok paceman Mike Procter. The ball cut back like an off-break to shatter the bewildered Gripper's stumps.

Rhodesian supporters who saw Colin Bland limping about the field on the Monday against Natal will be relieved to know that the trouble is not serious. Apparently Bland's knee gets stiff whenever he plays a big innings. This is because of internal bruising, but after a couple of days he is usually perfectly fit again. However, I could not understand why he did not move to the slips instead of risking further wear and tear of the ligaments.

For fast bowler Roy McLoughlin it was a highly satisfactory A Section debut. He did tend to try a little too hard with the new ball, bowling quite a few short balls, but in later spells when he slowed his pace a shade he was far more impressive.

In all the Rhodesian bowlers must have given away more than 50 runs to Natal with short-pitched balls. Brian Davison was a culprit on a few occasions, but generally he turned in a fine performance. He is quickly developing into a top-flight all-rounder, but perhaps he should make more use of the crease when he bowls and also vary his pace a little.

Although there were a few disappointing moments against Natal, Colin Bland must be well satisfied with his team's overall performance. Natal are the Currie Cup champions and boast a mighty combination, so for Rhodesia to score 300 was a fine effort. The bowlers, too, stuck to their task courageously on a pitch that was a batsman's paradise.

Lack of application caused the downfall of a few Rhodesian batsmen and a few straightforward catches were dropped. But these things are part of the game and feature in all grades of cricket.

The Rhodesian fielding was one of the outstanding features of the match, with Bland, Davison, Carlstein and Clarke setting the example in the outfield. The catches by Bland, Davison, Pithey and du Preez were all remarkable efforts.

I am confident we can beat Transvaal.

TRAICOS IN RHODESIA XI TO PLAY TRANSVAAL

Thursday 28 November 1968

John Traicos, the 21-year-old Natal university off-spinner, is included in the Rhodesian team to play Transvaal in an A Section Currie Cup cricket match at the Salisbury Police Ground on December 7-9. Traicos, who is from the Midlands, replaces Salisbury's Derrick Townshend and this is the only change from the Rhodesian team which played Natal recently.

Townshend has still not fully recovered from his elbow injury and informed the selectors yesterday that he would not be available.

The Transvaal team has also been announced. It includes Springboks Ali Bacher and 'Tiger' Lance and will be managed by former Springbok Roy McLean. The Transvaal team arrives at 11.50 p.m. on Friday, December 6.

TRANSVAAL BANK ON STRONG BATTING AND SEAM BOWLING

Wednesday 6 December 1968

Transvaal open their quest for the cricket Currie Cup against Rhodesia on Saturday with one of the strongest batting sides chosen by the Province for many years but, like Rhodesia, they may lack inspiration from their bowlers.

The team is: A Bacher (capt), B Bath, D Lindsay-Smith, H Lance, R White, W Kerr, D Mackay-Coghill, G Fairon, G Watson, E Chatterton and F Drummer. 12th Man: M Gamble.

Tiger Lance missed club cricket last weekend because of whooping cough, but is expected to be fit for the match.

New players to the side are Brian Bath, who will open the batting with Bacher, Willie Kerr, the left-handed all-rounder who toured Rhodesia with Transvaal Colts last season, the off-spinner Gavin Fairon, and former Western Province seam bowler Frank Drummer.

Transvaal may regret their concentration on seam bowling and that Mark Gamble, a very competent leg-break bowler, has been named as 12th man. Apart from Fairon, who is steady and accurate rather than penetrative, the attack is made up entirely of seam bowlers, although Bath is able to bowls off-spinners.

Any one of five seam bowlers could, of course, turn out to be a match-winner. Gary Watson, who is probably as fast as anyone in the country, is a much-improved player, and the left-handed Mackay-Coghill, who is likely to share the new ball with him, is often inspired by the big occasion. His club form, however, has not been exceptional.

Lance and Drummer have both taken wickets regularly this season, abut it would not be surprising to find them overshadowed by Kerr. He switched to seam bowling from spin only recently, when the suggestion was made to him by Johnny Waite, and has become consistently successful in league cricket.

Kerr, who is 23 and a badminton Springbok, bowls over the wicket with a gangling, untidy action. His main movement is in to the right-hander, but he occasionally drifts or spins the ball away. He is also an opening batsman of exceptional promise and given a good start to the season could develop into one of the Transvaal's most valuable players.

Ali Bacher has seldom batted better than he has in club matches this season. He has a double-century and several other big scores to his credit, and is now hitting glamorous cover drives to match his strong leg-side shots.

Bath is a confident young player with an aggressive outlook, but he is inclined to an occasional rash shot. Lindsay-Smith impressed me as one of the best batsmen in the country in his first big season last year. Shortage of match practice because of examinations may count against him in Salisbury.

Lance and Ray White are both in good batting form, and so is Mackay-Coghill, who was disappointing last season.

The strength of the batting can be gauged from the fact that the wicket-keeper, Elton Chatterton, who has scored a century and 80 in successive weekends for the Premier League champions, Old Johannians, will probably go in Number 10 for Transvaal.

LANCE OUT OF VAAL XI

Friday 6 December 1968

Herbert 'Tiger' Lance, the Springbok all-rounder, has withdrawn from the Transvaal team to play Rhodesia in the Currie Cup match here in Salisbury this weekend. Lance has been plagued recently with whooping cough, and yesterday notified the Transvaal selectors he was not available. His place has been taken by Viv Greve, the Old Edwardian all-rounder.

TRAICOS ARRIVES FOR CURRIE CUP GAME

By Cecil Whittaker (Friday 6 December 1968)

John Traicos, the Rhodesian off-spin bowler, arrived in Salisbury by air yesterday to play in the Currie Cup match against Transvaal, starting tomorrow at the Police Ground. Traicos, who is at Natal University, was competing in the University Cricket Week at Bloemfontein, but owing to the rain he did not get much practice.

Springbok Trevor Goddard, who coaches Traicos, said last week that Traicos has been bowling well lately and should be an asset to the Rhodesian side.

The other members of the team have all been practising wherever possible, and all are in form. Skipper Colin Bland's troublesome knee is on the mend - he injured it again while batting against Natal - and he should be fully fit.

Transvaal have a formidable combination, and if they play as a unit they will be hard to beat. But the Rhodesians have proved that they are no 'push-overs' and if, for once, the luck of the toss favours Bland - and it is about time he won a toss - the home side could surprise the visitors.

Although Transvaal have an all-seam attack, their bowlers are far from negative in their approach; they bowl to take wickets. Whether a spin bowler would have been profitable to them remains to be seen.

The rainy weather could make the preparation of the Police pitch a bit difficult, but no doubt the groundsman will aim to prepare a strip equal to that on which Natal played Rhodesia. There could be few complaints about that.

After this match the Rhodesian selectors will name the 12 players to go on tour down south.

TIME SKIPPER BLAND WON HIS FIRST CURRIE CUP TOSS

By Cecil Whittaker (Saturday 7 December 1968)

Will it be eighth time lucky for Rhodesian cricket captain Colin Bland at the Salisbury Police Ground today? Bland has lost his last seven tosses in Currie Cup matches, so he will desperately be hoping that Transvaal skipper Ali Bacher calls wrongly, thus allowing the Rhodesian to decide whether to take first use of the pitch.

Transvaal made a late change, Viv Greve, a solid batsman and leg-spin bowler, coming in for Tiger Lance, the Springbok all-rounder who has not got over a bout of whooping cough. Greve's inclusion improves the balance of the visitors' attack.

Transvaal has a particularly strong batting line-up and a more than useful battery of seam bowlers. New men to the side are off-spinner Gavin Fairon, who was seen up here originally with a Transvaal Fawns side, then with Transvaal B, opening batsman Brian Bath and seamer Willie Kerr, both of whom have also been here with Transvaal B, and the former Western Province seam bowler Frank Drummer, who has not been seen in Salisbury.

If opening bowler Gary Watson strikes form, he can do a lot of damage, even physically. Watson was up here with the last Transvaal A side, but he did not play. However, his form in the nets at practice before the match was most impressive. Some of his team-mates will long remember his aggressive bouncers!

And left-hander Mackay-Coghill, who will probably share the new ball with Watson, can rise to the occasion. But the steadiest of the seamers could be Kerr, the tall man who looked impressive last time he was at the Police Ground. To complete the seam attack, Transvaal have Drummer, who has had little success against Rhodesian batsmen.

The Police pitch generally gives the bowlers some assistance at the beginning, and if this is a similar track to the one used for the Natal match, the bowlers should have few complaints, and that includes spinners Fairon and Greve. The Rhodesian bowlers are faced with a stiff task, for they have to work their way through a full batting line-up. When it is considered that wicket-keeper Elton Chatterton will be batting number 10, the bowlers can expect many overs and a long grind in the field.

Ali Bacher is in great form again, and with Bath he could get his side off to a fine start. Duncan Lindsay-Smith, probably one of the most coached young men in the Republic, is a fine bat, and so too are Ray White, well known up here, and Mackay-Coghill.

Weather permitting, this could be a high-scoring match with the result hinging on the first innings. The Rhodesian batsmen are all in form and, like Transvaal, there is virtually no 'tail'. The batting line-up could be Ray Gripper to open with Jono Clarke, followed by Peter Carlstein, Tony Pithey, Colin Bland, Jack du Preez, Brian Davison, Eddie Parker, Tony de Caila, Roy McLoughlin and John Traicos.

Big problem, of course, is the attack. But if they bowl as well as they did against Natal, this should not be too much of a problem. Parker, who will share the new ball with McLoughlin, is bowling with real fire once more, and could act as a deterrent. McLoughlin and Davison have been among the wickets lately, and although Jack du Preez never has much success in league games, he is the man for the big occasion.

The toss, as usual, will play a big part in this match, and the side that has first use of the pitch could have an advantage.

POLICE GROUND FIASCO

By Fred Cleary (Sunday Mail, 8 December 1968)

The bogy of the badly drained Police Ground ruined any chance of play between Rhodesia and Transvaal in their A Section Currie Cup cricket match in Salisbury yesterday. The wicket was fine, despite several hours' heavy rain, but the outfield was too wet.

Umpires Bennett Fothergill and Peter Lake made their decision at 4.45 p.m. after several inspections of the ground. Heavy rain had fallen over four hours and stopped at 12.30 p.m. The sun shone strongly and when the covers were lifted the wicket and surrounding area were fine. But parts of the outfield were like a swamp, and even after two hours of sweeping water away, the hard-working Police ground staff were unable to dry the ground enough to satisfy the umpires.

Umpires have sole discretion in such matters and they abided by Law 46 (note 2) which states: ``Play can only be suspended when conditions are so bad that it is unreasonable or dangerous for it to continue. The ground is unfit for play when water stands on the surface or when it is so wet or slippery as to deprive the batsmen or bowlers of a reasonable foothold, or the fieldsman of the power of free movement.''

Neither Rhodesian captain Colin Bland and Transvaal's Ali Bacher, nor the Transvaal manager, Mr Roy McLean, wanted play to start, although there were some who said that in England the match would have begun.

But the general feeling was that it would be unfair for the fielding side. After being hit often into the large wet areas on both side of the wicket the ball would become like a piece of soap - and a new ball cannot be taken until 85 overs have been delivered.

In order to try and get more play in the remaining two days the match will start at 9 a.m. today and finish at 6 p.m., giving an extra hour. Eight hours' play a day will, however, be hard on the players, especially in mid-summer.

It was ironic that the wicket and immediate playing area were dry, but the outfield unsuitable. This is not the first time the Police outfield has caused trouble while other grounds in Salisbury have dried out. I understand that the Mashonaland Cricket Association has had discussions with the Police authorities, suggesting a 'herring' style drainage system be installed.

Certainly something will have to be done soon, or else the whole question of the Police Ground as a major cricket venue will have to be reconsidered.

The Rhodesia Cricket Union cannot go on allocating important games there, only to see tem spoilt by bad drainage after similar rainstorms. And the worrying factor is that the Police Ground is the only suitable venue in Salisbury for major games.

Several hundred people paid good money yesterday afternoon hoping to see at least a couple of hours' play. It was frustrating for them and those actively connected with the match to bask under a hot sun and not have any play.

PITHEY, DU PREEZ GET RUNS - NOW IT'S OVER TO THE BOWLERS

By Cecil Whittaker (Monday 9 December 1968)

In an absorbing day's cricket, interrupted an hour before stumps when a light appeal was upheld at 5 p.m., Rhodesia scored 268 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 420 minutes' batting on the second day of their Currie Cup cricket match against Transvaal at the Police Ground. Saturday's play was washed out completely, and the game started 45 minutes earlier yesterday, at 9 a.m. It will start again today at 9 a.m. with close of play at 6 p.m.

Highlights of yesterday's play were some exceptionally steady bowling by the visitors, keen fielding and two fine innings, one by Tony Pithey, who hit 73, and the other by Jack du Preez, who got 89.

On a pitch which gave the pace bowlers little help, runs were nevertheless at a premium. The pitch was taking a fair amount of spin, but the ball was coming off slowly and the batsmen found timing difficult.

The bowling was good all round, particularly that of left arm seamer Willie Kerr, who took four wickets for 63 runs in 36 overs, half of which were maidens. In his first spell of 15 overs, Kerr took one wicket for 22 runs with his steady, accurate attack. Rarely could the batsmen take a chance; never did they actually get on top of the bowling, although du Preez drove, cut and pulled, even against the second new ball, with calm assurance.

Pithey, although considered to be painfully slow, did a great job of work for his side once more. Coming in when Rhodesia had lost Jono Clarke (13) at 28, Pithey began to consolidate slowly but surely. He got his first 10 runs in 72 minutes, his second 10 runs in 22 minutes and in the 'lunch' over he hit leg-spinner Viv Greve for 14 runs.

Pithey, who was not out with 36 at lunch, when the total was 91 for two, made his 50 in 202 minutes, and with du Preez added 75 runs for the fifth wicket. In his stay of 294 minutes he hit six fours, and he was finally caught by Ali Bacher off Kerr at midwicket.

But it was du Preez who captured the 2000 crowd. He came in shortly before the new ball was taken at 150 for four, and he proceeded to hit all the bowlers to all corners of the field. The new ball made no difference, and he and Pithey added 50 runs in 57 minutes.

Tea was taken at 196 for four, with Pithey on 70 and du Preez 36, but the partnership was ended shortly after tea and half the side were out for 211.

Du Preez then added two fours before Brian Davison was caught in the slips off Kerr before he had scored. And then Eddie Parker joined du Preez, who carried on in merry fashion until he attempted to drive a ball from Mackay-Coghill only to cock it up to mid-off where Gary Watson ran in to take an easy catch.

Du Preez batted 151 minutes and hit 16 fours. He reached his 50 in 108 minutes with nine fours, and received a big ovation from the enthusiastic crowd.

The game started on time in heavily overcast conditions, and by 4.30 p.m. the light was beginning to fade badly. At 5 o'clock de Caila, who had joined Parker, appealed against the light and the umpires upheld the appeal. Heavy rain began to fall ten minutes later and the pitch and the surrounding area were covered.

Early in the morning Clarke, who had started slowly with Gripper, was caught when he hooked a ball to Watson at midwicket. He was in for 65 minutes with only 28 runs on the board.

Gripper and Pithey continued in this vein against some steady bowling, raising only 53 runs in 125 minutes, when Gripper was run out for 33, including four fours.

Peter Carlstein stayed 66 minutes for 14 runs. He too got bogged down before he was caught shortly after lunch when he got a bottom edge to a ball from off-spinner Fairon and Greve had a simple catch at slip.

Colin Bland never got going either. He had 25 runs in 54 minutes when he hit a low on-drive to Bacher who took a good catch, and Rhodesia looked to be in trouble. But then came du Preez and his life-saving innings, and Rhodesia are now not too badly placed with only today left for play.

Most impressive of the visiting bowlers were Kerr and Fairon. Kerr bowled with real intelligence and thoroughly earned his four wickets. Fairon got the ball to turn sharply at times, if a bit slowly, but he was most accurate and troubled all the batsmen. He bowled 35 overs to get one for 67.

Eddie Parker and Tony de Caila will continue the Rhodesian innings this morning, for Rhodesia still need a few more runs to make this an interesting match. This could, in fact, end in exciting fashion, weather permitting.

TRANSVAAL SET AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK - THEN CAME RAIN

By Cecil Whittaker (Tuesday 10 December 1968)

Another torrential downpour at 1.23 p.m. yesterday ended the Currie Cup cricket match between Rhodesia and Transvaal at the Police Ground, Salisbury. There was no play on Saturday because of rain, an hour was lost on Sunday for the same reason, and after starting an hour late yesterday morning, both teams ended with no points for their troubles.

Rhodesia, who declared their first innings closed at 375 for nine wickets, left Transvaal the impossible task of getting the runs in 307 minutes. When the umpires officially called the match off, Transvaal had scored 37 without loss, Ali Bacher having 22 and Bath 13.

In the morning, the Rhodesians took their overnight total of 268 for seven to 375, with the last pair, Eddie Parker and John Traicos, undefeated. The match was due to re-start at 9 a.m., but following overnight rain, and another shower shortly before 9.30 a.m., mopping-up operations were curtailed and the match eventually got under way at 10 a.m.

In the first 30 minutes' play, Rhodesia lost Tony de Caila (9) while adding 13 runs. Runs were again at a premium, with the Transvaal bowlers on the spot and keeping the batsmen quiet on a completely unaffected pitch.

Roy McLoughlin, who had joined Parker, was bowled by off-spinner Fairon for 16, and when Traicos joined Parker, the game suddenly sprang to life.

With a belated declaration obviously in the offing, Parker began to hit the ball hard. Frank Drummer suffered in his final over when Parker, who had celebrated his 50 by on-driving Gary Watson for six, suddenly lashed out and hit Drummer for three sixes and two fours.

This was champagne batting, and Parker was undefeated with 83 in 157 minutes. He hit five fours and five towering sixes. He helped Rhodesia raise the 350 in 518 minutes, and at the declaration Rhodesia had batted 523 minutes.

Surprisingly, Bacher opened his attack in the morning with Mackay-Coghill and Watson, while their most successful bowler, Willie Kerr, graced the outfield. On this pitch, Kerr had proved the most effective of the attack, and with a bit of life in the pitch, he might conceivably have dismissed the last Rhodesian batsmen at a cheaper price.

Besides Kerr, off-spinner Fairon looked the best. He bowled 40 overs to claim two for 83, and had his luck been better, his figures might have been even better. He has developed into a good off-spin bowler.

A feature of the visitors' play was their keen fielding. They gave away very few runs, and Bacher's field placings were excellent. He handled his attack intelligently and always looked to be completely in the game.

With the threat of rain, I doubt whether the match would have finished any differently had Bland declared at his overnight total. Obviously, the rain would have put paid to any chance Transvaal might have had. It is easy to be wise after the event, but Currie Cup captains have never been known for their charitable actions in leaving the opposition easy targets. But it seems rather a pity that neither side should get a point - in fact, the whole exercise seemed rather pointless, at the end.

Colin Bland gave the new ball to Roy McLoughlin and leg-spinner Jack du Preez. But although du Preez turned the ball, it turned slowly. Had there been a full day's play on Saturday, this pitch would no doubt have taken quite a bit of spin, and there is no doubt that the bowler who could 'cut' the ball off the pitch would have been in his element.

I think full marks must go to the groundsmen. They really battled hard to make this field playable; they did everything possible, but with the elements against them, theirs was a hopeless task.

This match must have represented a big loss financially to both Unions, and if 'big' cricket is to be played at the Police Ground - and I hope it will be - something must be done about the drainage system, preferably a 'herring-bone' system which has proved so successful at the Old Georgians ground. This is almost a must and now is the time to do it, for the rugby season is a long way off.

THANK GOODNESS FOR JACKIE DU PREEZ

Fred Cleary's Column (Sunday Mail, 15 December 1968)

Time Magazine once wrote of Sophia Loren: ``Her nose is hooked, her mouth too large, jaw too wide and neck too long. But put them all together and oh, mama mia!'' In other words, Miss Loren's separate parts may be a cameraman's nightmare, but as a unit they comprise one of the most delectable visions anyone could wish to see.

And thus one might examine the batting of cricketer John Harcourt du Preez.

He is an inelegant man at the crease. Short in stature, lacking in grace, he clobbers the ball with the sole purpose of scoring runs and not caring a hoot about style. He leaves that to the stylists like Tony Pithey.

His feet are all wrong when he steps out to drive and the bat connects at an odd angle. But link his crude and limited array of strokes together with his fighting spirit, and you have a man to be reckoned with.

He took 89 splendid runs off a Transvaal bowling combination last Sunday that was one of the meanest and best in years, and he helped lay the foundation of what turned out to be Rhodesia's best Currie Cup cricket score against Transvaal.

The tall, angular left-arm slow seamer Kerr, the thoughtful off-spinner Fairon and the persistent and nagging seamer Drummer plugged away with commendable tenacity on a terrible field. They had broken through the early home batting and were set to send Bland and his men reeling.

However, du Preez and Pithey met the challenge and richly deserved centuries which were denied them at the last hurdle. But for this pair Eddie Parker may not have been allowed the freedom later on to crucify the Transvaalers in such a spectacular and quite ruthless manner.

``I hate batting,'' said a deadpan du Preez on Monday morning as, dressed in 'mufti', he watched Parker commit mayhem. I do not know whether he was joking or not. But if he wasn't, heaven help any other bowlers he meets during the Rhodesian team's Currie Cup tour over Christmas and New Year if he starts to like batting.

He was a joy, and if he never sends down another leg-spinner in anger again I would still have him in the national side as a batsman.

It's du Preez's heart that makes the man. I noticed on Sunday how he stepped out to meet the ball in his first over with all the aplomb of a master batsman - which he is not. He ignored the critical state of the game and the fact that Ali Bacher's men had Rhodesia off balance. He was going to show who was the boss. And this he did.

Reflecting a man in form, he struck with the full meat of the bat, punching into the covers and gliding perfectly and frequently to leg with telling effect. And what is more, he didn't just wait for the loose balls to come his way. There were precious few, so he went out and looked hungrily for his runs. Then he would step back, cap sitting at a jaunty angle, hand on hip and smiling, as if to say: ``So, what else can you do?''

It was wonderful stuff, and when I think of the century he took off Wilfred Isaacs' side a couple of years ago, his 112 against Eastern Province and several other useful innings, I bless the day this likeable Salisbury cigarette salesman was put in the team. And I'm not forgetting that he won his Springbok cap as a leg-spin bowler.

As for Tony Pithey, where is the critic who said he should not have been brought out of retirement just because he cannot tour?

Pithey today, at 35, is a relaxed and happy master batsman. Having reached the summit of cricket achievement he has no further ambitions. If he is never picked again for Test duty he would not worry and averages are mere statistics for the mathematically minded. Nowadays he plays for fun - and it reflects in his approach to the job.

His 73 on Sunday may have taken 294 minutes, but yet again he was asked to do a surgical job and stitch up a side that looked like falling apart.

How often over his career has Pithey been called on to put some steel into a side after a poor start? And how often has he had to sacrifice runs for time, wearing down the bowling while others got the runs?

All right, perhaps he could have scored a shade faster, but the Transvaal bowling was tight and, as rain had turned the match into a one-innings affair, occupation of the crease was more important than runs, at that stage.

Pithey's footwork against the spinners was straight out of the textbook and, if a Test side were chosen tomorrow, I would have him as my No 3.

Parker's 83 was enjoyable, but I will be much happier if I can report from Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg in the next few weeks that his bowling is equally devastating. He did not have a chance to bowl last week, but his form with the ball of late (two for 147 against Natal) has not been good.

As for the drainage system at the Police Ground, the sooner that field is ploughed up, the better. With no more important games scheduled for Salisbury this season, the place could be fixed inside three or four months. And it could be ready for the 1969 rugby season, thus avoiding any possible loss of revenue of the police.

Overall, the ground was a disgrace. Apart from the poor drainage on the outfield, the wicket was as bare as Yul Brynner's head. The ball came through slowly and turned like a weary old man. This sort of wicket helps no one. Leave some grass on and the ball helps the bowlers and should come through and enable the batsman to play strokes.

John McPhun has his last chance of re-establishing himself as a national batsman when he goes on tour. Once a regular member and a consistent stroke-maker, he lost his place a couple of seasons ago. I hope he does well, for a more decent sportsman one could not wish to meet, But would not another bowler like Waine Lawton, Noel Peck or Neville Williams have balanced the side more, especially at the coast?

And whatever did happen to Howie Gardiner, the man who clobbered Bobby Simpson's Australians for 81 runs with six sixes and seven fours only two years ago? Can we really afford to discard such talent?

Having lost to Natal on the first innings and the Transvaal match being washed out, Rhodesia goes on tour without a point. The batting still lacks consistency (oh, for a good opening stand) and the bowling is a nagging worry.

But Colin Bland and his men were not disgraced against Currie Cup champions Natal and the Transvaal game did not lose them any face. So, with Bland getting a further grip of his leadership with each match, the team wings its way to the coast on Christmas Eve with far more hope and confidence than many might imagine.

PERSONAL MEMORIES - John Ward

The loss of play on Saturday was a major blow, as there were only two first-class matches during a season, but scheduling matches in December is always hazardous. I was one of hundreds of gullible fools who rushed down to the ground on the Saturday afternoon in bright sunshine, taking the word of an over-enthusiastic radio commentator who assured us that 'there definitely will be play today'. As soon as I arrived I wondered how that could be possible, as there were large areas of standing water around the square where the covers had been. After an hour's fruitless wading and splashing by the ground staff, play was officially abandoned for the day.

I was unable to attend on the second day, but did get down for some good cricket on the Monday. Rhodesia's aim was obviously to consolidate rather than score quick runs. De Caila survived a couple of Mackay-Coghill's characteristic lbw appeals (''Howza - a - a - at!'') before his luck ran out, while McLoughlin was rather more enterprising. Parker was batting solidly, and he was one of those players who always seemed to score runs when I was watching.

The fun really began when McLoughlin was out and I had my first view of Traicos, a pale thin youth walking out nervously to bat. He played a defensive game while Parker reached what was to be his only fifty for Rhodesia, a terrible waste of batting talent. Traicos did have one scoring stroke. Surrounded by close fielders, he drove firmly at one ball which pierced the field and continued past mid-off for four, the batsmen not troubling to run.

Bland was signalling to Parker from the pavilion, presumably that he wanted to declare and put Transvaal in for a few overs before lunch. It was obvious when he had indicated the last over, as Parker launched a thrilling assault on the fast-medium bowling of Drummer, which was rather glossed over by the press. In fact it was a superb high point of an otherwise rather humdrum day.

My memory is uncertain that the official 606644 version of the 26 runs Parker hit off that over from Drummer is correct, though I cannot be quite certain of the order of the strokes and the newspaper did not bother to go into detail. Perhaps it is correct, so I give my account on the basis that it is. He certainly began with a powerful drive for six, which I later read somewhere was supposed to have been the first time Drummer had ever been hit for six in first-class cricket. There was a dot ball, and then another powerful drive over the boundary.

I think it was at this point, after the third ball, that Drummer suddenly seemed to decide that cricket was not a game worth playing after all. He only played one more match before disappearing from first-class cricket anyway. He now bowled two balls so wide outside the off stump that the umpire called them both wide, a rare occurrence in first-class cricket in those days. Bacher as Transvaal captain went across to have a quiet word with Drummer, who did put the final three deliveries closer to the stumps.

Parker took advantage. The next ball, a little outside leg, he pulled high over midwicket for a third six in that over. The next he drove at, but edged past the slips for four. Then he drove the final ball high over the bowler's head. Brian Bath at long-off ran round to try for what would have been a brilliant catch, and just seemed to get a fingertip to the ball before it bounced a couple of feet inside the boundary and bounced over for another four. Whereupon the batsmen marched indoors. Another yard to that last hit and Parker would have got his name, temporarily at least, into Wisden: 26 hit off the over, plus two wides, made 28 runs altogether.

That last over had taken so long that Rhodesia only had time to bowl two overs at Transvaal before lunch. Bacher came in to open, up from his regular number three position for the first time for several seasons, with Bath, and concentrated on playing for the interval, taking just one leg-bye off McLoughlin. Bland opened with du Preez instead of Parker from the north end, but the pitch was really too slow to help the leg-spinner much.

During lunch black clouds were building up ominously to the north and more heavy rain was clearly on the way. Du Preez pitched short and Bacher, generally remembered as a strong leg-side player, swatted ball after ball powerfully into the covers. Davison, fielding there, stopped a couple, but Bacher soon had his measure and swatted, according to the records, three fours past him. But, in the middle of an over, the pavilion was suddenly enveloped in rain and the players ran for shelter. There was never any chance that play would be able to resume.