At Newlans, Cape Town; 10, 11, 13 March. Western Province (272 & 118) lost to Rhodesia (322/8d & 69/3) by seven wickets. - WESTERN PROVINCE v RHODESIA (Currie Cup match) CricInfo report

Reports taken from The Herald unless otherwise stated.

ACKERMAN INJURED: MISSES RHODESIA

Johannesburg; Tuesday 29 February 1972

Hylton Ackerman, the Western Province batsman, has fractured the base of his left thumb and has also a hairline fracture of the upper part of the thumb.

It has been placed in plaster and he is expected to miss Western Province’s next Currie Cup match against Rhodesia. He said yesterday that he hoped the fracture would heal in time for the final fixture against Eastern Province.

NO BARLOW TO WORRY RHODESIA

By Glen Byrom, Friday 3 March 1972

Rhodesia’s chances of finishing high in the A Section Currie Cup cricket table received a boost yesterday with the news from Cape Town that Eddie Barlow WILL NOT play against Rhodesia in the final match at Newlands, starting next week. No reason is given, only that the Springbok all-rounder, who recently took a century off Rhodesia in Salisbury, is not available.

With World XI left-hander Hylton Ackerman also out of the side through a thumb injury, the Province batting is substantially weaker than in was in Salisbury. But Rhodesian-born seam bowler Peter Swart is back in the team after missing the last two games through suspension. He was reinstated by his club on Wednesday night and will open the bowling with Surrey’s Robin Jackman. The lanky seamer Morne du Plessis is dropped after his first-class debut in Salisbury.

Replacing Barlow and Ackerman as batsmen are Chris Stephens and another Rhodesian-born player, Fred Goldstein, the former Oxford captain. The team is: Andre Bruyns (capt), Neville Budge, Fred Goldstein, Chris Stephens, Peter Denne, Mike Bowditch, Gavin Pfuhl, Richard morris, Peter Swart, Robin Jackman and Grahame Chevalier.

The match is at Newlands on March 10, 11 and 13. Rhodesia’s immediate task is to beat Currie Cup leaders Natal in Bulawayo in the match starting tomorrow. The team flies to Bulawayo from Salisbury early this morning and will practise at the Queens ground soon after arrival. The game is on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

CONFIDENT KASCHULA ADVISES MIKE

By Glen Byrom, Cape Town; The Chronicle, Friday 10 March 1972.

As the exciting race for cricket’s Currie Cup heads for a photo-finish, Mike Procter’s Rhodesians are confidently preparing for their final A Section match which starts at Newlands here today.

If Rhodesia win handsomely, they will move to the top of the table, but they will not be assured of winning the coveted cup for the first time. The champions will only be decided after the final games, beginning on March 24, when Natal play Transvaal in Durban and Eastern Province are at home to Western Province.

Thus, if they win, the Rhodesians will have an agonizing week’s wait to see if Transvaal, Natal or Eastern Province will pip them on the post. At this stage it is still possible for any province to finish top, and who can predict how these last few games will finish?

If confidence is the criterion, then it will be surprising if Rhodesia stumble at this final hurdle. They have come to Cape Town expecting to win, not merely hoping to, and this fact was highlighted by some light-hearted patter at the team’s Rondebosch hotel on Wednesday night, with Richie Kaschula giving Mike Procter a thorough briefing on the finer points of etiquette when he receives the Currie Cup.

It is heartening to see such positive thinking and supreme confidence. For it is these vital factors that have been sadly lacking in Rhodesian cricket for the past decade. There is no over-confidence and there remains a marked sense of purpose and fierce determination for this final and crucial match.

The odds do favour Rhodesia, but it is a fact that Western Province are seldom beaten at Newlands. So it should be a titanic struggle.

Rhodesia did scramble to a two-wicket win at Newlands in a friendly in January, while they also won a friendly in Salisbury last season. In the recent match between the sides, in Salisbury a month ago, the result was an uncompromising draw.

In that last match, Westerns had Eddie Barlow and the World XI batsman, Hylton Ackerman. Both are out of today’s match, Barlow through ‘pressure of business’ and Ackerman with a broken thumb. Without these two, Westerns are an ordinary side and certainly no better than when Rhodesia won here in January. Rhodesia, however, have grown in stature since then.

Not only have they been revitalized by the captaincy of Procter, but there have been three telling changes. Ray Gripper, Brian Oldrieve and John McPhun have made way for Stuart Robertson, Martin Benkenstein and Paddy Clift.

The biggest advantage of these changes has been the batting of the stylish left-handed Robertson at number three. He has looked magnificent, though he is still struggling to get past the 60s. Perhaps this will be his match?

Benkenstein could continue his fluent form of Bulawayo, while Paddy Clift could be most effective as a swing bowler if the south-easter is blowing.

Procter’s batting has been disappointing of late and he will want to produce a finishing flourish, while lower in the order Howie Gardiner is showing welcome signs of a return to form which could spell danger for the Province bowlers. It was at Newlands that Gardiner played his best innings this season, an undefeated 50, including three superbly timed sixes.

The key men for the home team are their captain, Andre Bruyns, and left-arm spinner Grahame Chevalier. The 25-year-old Bruyns hit an undistinguished century here in the last match, but as they say, “It was in the book,” and Rhodesia will want to capture his wicket early. There is little menace in the remainder of the batting, though there are players who can suddenly come to light with a substantial score.

The Newlands pitch looks easy-paced, with the prospect of taking turn on the final day.

Mike Procter is fiercely chasing his avowed intent of winning the Currie Cup, and he and his team walk on to the Newlands pitch tomorrow with the stimulus of a fine victory over Natal behind them. Procter has captained Rhodesia four times and he had three wins and a draw. He aims to improve that record in Cape Town.

DAY OF MIXED FORTUNES FOR RHODESIA

From Glen Byrom, Cape Town; Saturday 11 March 1972

A 3000 crowd, including the Prime Minister, Mr Ian Smith, watched Western Province move to a total that put them beyond the danger point – for the moment – in the first day of their Currie Cup match against Rhodesia at Newlands. Western Province reached 272 and Rhodesia were 13 for one at the close.

On a lifeless, slow pitch it was WP skipper Andre Bruyns who led the early run-getters with a fluent 71. Then, after a middle-order collapse, lanky Peter Swart provided a late surge with a confident 51, finding willing partners in Richard Morris (24) and Robin Jackman (13 not out). Bruyns and Swart and to a lesser degree Neville Budge were the only players to bat with real assurance.

So placid was the pitch that Mike Procter soon discovered it was useless to expend full energy and he bowled mostly at three-quarter pace. He bowled with sustained accuracy to finish with the fine figures of 4 for 33 in 23 overs. Rhodesia claimed three bowling bonus points while Province collected two points for batting.

A feature of the day was superb fielding by Rhodesia who saved many runs. After Jackman and Swart had each bowled an over, off-spinner Richard Morris and left-arm spinner Grahame Chevalier came on until the close.

Morris met with success in his first over when the impetuous Barbour, after his triumphant century against Natal, went on the cut and edged the ball straight to Budge at first slip to make Rhodesia 7-1.

Rhodesia suffered a few agonizing moments, including Jimmy Mitchell being dropped in the first over when Chevalier at deep point could not hold a sharp chance. But Mitchell and Stuart Robertson are still there to continue the fight today.

RHODESIA HAVE A LONG HAUL

From Glen Byrom, Cape Town; Rhodesia Herald and The Chronicle, Saturday 11 March 1972

Western Province notched a battling but highly respectable first-innings total of 272 against Rhodesia on the first day of their A Section Currie Cup cricket match at Newlands yesterday. At the close Rhodesia, after 28 minutes’ batting, had lost Brian Barbour for a total of 13. So Rhodesia have a long haul if they are to win outright and go to the top of the Currie Cup table.

After calling correctly for the last three games, Mike Procter lost the important toss this morning and Andre Bruyns elected to bat on a pitch that was devoid of grass and looked more like Clifton Beach than a cricket pitch. Procter’s first ball swung in and rapped Goldstein, who was on the back foot, on the pad. A concerted appeal was turned down.

Goldstein drove a four through the covers and thereafter Procter was seldom menacing. The ball was coming off slowly and when Procter tried to dig in a bumper the ball stood up invitingly for the burly Goldstein to swat it tennis style to deep mid-on for two.

The first wicket fell after 65 minutes with the total 38. Neville Budge prodded forward, got a nick on to his pads and popped up a simple catch to short leg Jimmy Mitchell.

Fred Goldstein, who is Rhodesian-born, looked uneasy and played with little confidence, though he bore the brunt of Mike Procter’s bowling while Budge scored from the other side.

At 67 for one leg-spinner Jack du Preez came into the attack and Bruyns attempted to cut, bringing a howling appeal for caught behind. The Rhodesians were clearly upset when the umpire shook his head and Bruyns, who had not scored, stood. In their last encounter here in January Bruyns admitted he had been caught and given not out in the first over her faced . . . and he went on to make a century.

Yesterday Bruyns went on to make top score of 71, a fluent innings with an array of well executed strokes before being well caught at deep fine leg by Paddy Clift. Before that Goldstein had driven a return catch to Richie Kaschula for 34 in 110 minutes and, just after lunch, Peter Denne had been bowled by a beautiful ball from Procter.

Ten runs later Mike Bowditch (4) cut at a ball from Clift and was caught behind and two balls later Fletcher took a superb return catch to get rid of Stephens. In Clift’s next over the slump continued when Gavin Pfuhl was bowled first ball by an inswinger as he prodded forward tentatively. Four wickets had tumbled for 14 runs.

Procter and Fletcher took the new ball after tea at 217-7 and Procter, bowling with more pace than he had attempted against the top-order batsmen, had Morris caught at wide second slip by Fletcher, a short ball lifting sharply to pop off his gloves.

It was the first real ‘lifter’ of the day, but Robin Jackman was grazed on the forehead by a Procter bumper and went off for attention, and Grahame Chevalier did not stay long before being bowled by Procter.

Jackman returned to partner Peter Swart who had been playing a most responsible innings, filled with enterprising shots, and he steadily guided Province to a respectable total.

The innings finally closed at 272 when Swart (51) was caught behind off Clift.

ROBERTSON ENDS HOODOO – RHODESIA AHEAD

From Glen Byrom; Sunday Mail, 12 March 1972

A stylish maiden first-class century by left-hander Stuart Robertson took Rhodesia past Western Province’s first innings score of 272 on the second day of the Currie Cup cricket match at Newlands, Cape Town, yesterday.

Robertson was ably aided by enterprising innings from Mike Procter (86) and Jackie du Preez (57). At the close Rhodesia were 322 for eight – a lead of 50 with one day to play.

Although a draw seems the most likely outcome, both sides still have a chance of clinching victory. It all depends on the first few hours tomorrow.

The 24-year-old Robertson overcame a hoodoo which had seen him often reach 50, but he had never previously emerged from the 60s. He was in an uncompromising mood yesterday and together with Procter in a painstaking fourth-wicket stand of 145 in 188 minutes, he hoisted Rhodesia out of trouble. They had been 41 for three early in the morning.

Rhodesia’s scoring rate, however, was too slow to give them more than one bonus batting point and the first-innings bonus points were shared at four apiece.

Robertson’s century, made in over 5½ hours, included two sixes and six fours. Procter’s 86 contained a six and eight fours. The Province attack was made to look threadbare, but the ground fielding was of a consistently fine standard. A crowd of 5000 showed their appreciation.

The Rhodesians were only able to score 32 runs in the first hour’s play for the loss of Mitchell and Davison. Procter was given a few anxious moments by Jackman, hitting the ball off the inside edge. Gradually the Rhodesian captain settled down and the score mounted steadily.

Robertson, who had scored 15 runs in his first hour at the wicket and six runs in his second hour, suddenly went on the offensive, hitting Chevalier for four and six off successive deliveries.

Robertson hit Chevalier for another six in the following over. Robertson reached 50 in 142 minutes shortly before lunch.

Procter began to open up with some well-timed off-drives and reached his 50 in 143 minutes (four fours). Procter looked set for his century but when he had reached 86 he hit fiercely across the ball from Bowditch and was lbw.

Du Preez joined Robertson (74) with Rhodesia needing 14 runs in just over three overs for another bonus point. But they fell five short of the target.

Play towards tea was dull indeed, although Swart, fielding at midwicket, dived forward in an exciting bid to catch du Preez off Morris. The fielder indicated however that the ball had touched the ground. Robertson (82) then seemed to give a caught and bowled chance to Chevalier.

Jackman and Swart were given the new ball after tea and Robertson, whose previous highest first-class score was 63, slowly but surely made his maiden century. He was given a generous ovation when he drove Bowditch through the covers for four to reach 103 (two sixes, seven fours) in 338 minutes. Robertson immediately opened up and du Preez also attacked the bowling.

Robertson’s excellent innings ended at 269 when he tried to late-cut Chevalier and was caught behind by Pfuhl who in the previous over had dropped du Preez off Morris. Robertson batted for 355 minutes.

With the addition of one run the batsman Benkenstein was well caught by Chevalier for no score when he drove a full toss from Morris to the off side. Howie Gardiner also went cheaply, but du Preez continued to bat well and towards the close Fletcher and Clift had a useful partnership.

PITCH KILLS NEWLANDS CONTEST

By Glen Byrom; Monday 13 March 1972

It will be surprising if the A Section Currie Cup cricket match between Rhodesia and Western Province ends in anything but a draw at Newlands today, thanks to a pitch that has effectively curbed positive cricket.

Rhodesia go into the final day 50 runs ahead with two first-innings wickets standing, and Procter intends to bat on in an effort to stretch that lead further. He and his team-mates are upset at the preparation of the Newlands pitch, to which the stalemate can be directly attributed.

“This is the worst I have ever seen at Newlands,” said Procter sadly, “and it gives us no chance of providing good cricket for spectators. I can’t understand why they have shaved it bare.”

There is not a blade of grass to be seen and this wicket has not been relished by either batsmen or bowlers. It is too slow for batsmen to play attacking cricket and the Rhodesians struggled with their timing. Both Procter (86) and Robertson (118) were forced tp graft for about an hour before thy could achieve any sort of real timing, while there has been little menace in the bowling.

The final day could see the pitch taking some turn, though it is doubtful, and Rhodesia looks like coming out of this uninspiring match with only their four bonus points. This is not sufficient to win the Currie Cup.

Procter has been criticized for not declaring the Rhodesian first innings at least half an hour before the close on Saturday, but he wants to get as big a lead as he can and then strive to do the near-impossible and bowl out Westerns quickly.

Saturday’s play was highlighted by that fine maiden century by Stuart Robertson. It was a marathon, often tedious, innings and he occupied the crease for almost six hours. Tight bowling, defensive field placing and this lifeless pitch all made things difficult for the batsmen and the tall left-hander had the added pressure of trying to achieve the century that has for long elided him.

In the final analysis it was an innings of great merit and worth for Rhodesia. It has enabled a first-innings lead and has probably killed all Western Province hopes of a late bid for the Currie Cup. Robertson has now scored 432 runs in nine innings for Rhodesia this season, at an average of almost 60.

Most of the credit for the exhilarating last-ditch bid to win the Currie Cup for the first time can be attributed to his fluent batting at number three, a position which had caused immense problems early in the season. What a pity his first century could not have been the spark for a Rhodesian victory. Instead, it has been the solid foundation for what will surely be an uncompromising draw.

RHODESIANS TOP OF LOG

Cricket reporter; Tuesday 14 March 1972

Rhodesia’s cricketers are top of the Currie Cup A Section. Their remarkable seven-wicket win over Western Province in Cape Town yesterday – a victory plucked from the stalemate of the first two days – leaves them two points ahead of Transvaal and nine points clear of Natal.

However, with Natal and Transvaal to meet in Durban in two weeks’ time, there seems little prospect of Rhodesia retaining the top spot. For Rhodesia have completed their programme.

Transvaal played themselves into the favourite’s seat with a 30-run victory over Eastern Province in Johannesburg yesterday – a game which saw them collect 21 points (11 bonus, 10 for the win). Rhodesia had to settle for 14 points. And now Transvaal requires only a draw and at least three bonus points – an easy target – to retain the Currie Cup.

Natal, on the other hand, must take a lion’s share of the bonus points, and then go on to add the 10 for victory, if they are to topple Transvaal. Under headings – matches played, won, lost, drawn, bonus batting points, bonus bowling points, total points.

Rhodesia 8 3 1 4 17 26 73 Transvaal 7 2 2 3 27 24 71 Natal 7 2 3 2 14 30 64 Eastern Province 7 1 1 5 11 28 49 Western Province 7 1 2 4 14 18 42

But whatever the outcome of the crucial game in Durban – and it could happen that the distribution of points will push Rhodesia back to third place – there is no denying that Mike Procter’s team played magnificently yesterday.

An elated Procter said afterwards: “This win was not totally unexpected, but we did not expect to win so easily. They didn’t bat very well. I thought this was a very bad cricket wicket. It had no pace, no grass and no bounce at all. They should have left some grass on it, but as it was it was very difficult to score runs.”

Rhodesian manager Alwyn Pichanick said: “Of all his tremendous performances, Mike could never have done better than this.”

PROCTER ROUTS HIS CRITICS – TAKES 5-9

By Glen Byrom, Cape Town; Tuesday 14 March 1972

Inspired bowling by Mike Procter, who snatched five wickets for nine runs on a pitch totally unsuited to pace bowling, led Rhodesia to a sensational seven-wicket victory over Western Province in the A Section Currie Cup cricket match at Newlands yesterday.

Stuart Robertson hit the winning run with more than two hours’ play remaining, taking Rhodesia to the top of the Currie Cup table. In the final games, beginning on March 24, Natal meet Transvaal at Durban and Eastern Province play Western Province at Port Elizabeth.

The game of cricket again showed why it defies prediction. Rhodesia laboured to a first-innings lead of 50 with two wickets standing by the close of the second day on Saturday, and on this lifeless Newlands pitch a draw appeared the only realistic prospect.

But Rhodesia, and Procter in particular, made a mockery of newspaper reports which had stated “Come off it, Mike,” “Rhodesia kill it” and “Rhodesia toss away all chance.” Procter was roundly slated for his ‘defensive attitude’ and for not declaring as soon as he passed the Province total on Saturday.

At breakfast in the Rhodesian team’s Rondebosch hotel yesterday, Procter read the papers, then said quite simply: “The only way to show them is to go out there and win today. And I’m sure we can do it.”

It was Procter who struck back at his critics in the most convincing manner possible, and after an incredible first hour, after Rhodesia had declared at their overnight 322-8, Western Province slithered to an unbelievable 22-6, Procter having taken four for six in six overs.

Magnificent Mike, revelling in the challenging situation, again revealed his greatness as he set up Rhodesia’s third outright Currie Cup victory of the season and the fourth win out of five since he has been captain. The other was a draw.

Although Procter bowled with great venom and accuracy to extract every inch of bounce out of this unyielding pitch, an epidemic of negligent strokes spread through the Western Province batting and contributed largely to their tale of woe. This is how those first six wickets crashed yesterday:

In the first over, Procter shattered Fred Goldstein’s stumps, the batsman playing inside a ball that cut back just a little. The South African Railways probably contributed to this wicket as the smoke from a passing train was drifting across the pitch and must have given Goldstein hazy vision. He should have waited for the smoke to clear before facing up to a man of Procter’s pace.

In Procter’s fourth over, Western Province skipper and run-maker-in-chief Andre Bruyns flashed at a wide, short ball to be caught behind off a thick edge for a duck. It was an inauspicious farewell innings at Newlands for Westerns, for next season he will be in Natal.

Three balls later, Neville Budge followed a wide ball from Duncan Fletcher and Stuart Robertson snapped up the chance at first slip (10-3).

Chris Stephens, considered a bright Springbok prospect last season, played right over a ball to be bowled by sheer Procter pace, and big Peter Denne was bowled by Fletcher as he prodded forward tentatively.

Gavin Pfuhl, who looked terrified of Procter, sent a gift-wrapped catch to short leg Jimmy Mitchell – and seemed relieved to be out – and Province had tumbled to a fantastic 18-6 to be in real danger of losing by an innings.

It was pathetically abject batting and Mike Bowditch did not improve things as he flinched away from Procter, who was using the odd bumper cleverly while directing his main attack at the stumps.

Bowditch got some relief when Procter came off, but he managed only eight before snicking an attempted cut off du Preez to wicket-keeper Gardiner, to make Province 32-7 after 90 minutes.

Then came a face-saving eighth-wicket partnership of 80 in 101 minutes between bespectacled Richard Morris and Rhodesian-born Peter Swart. Showing courage and resolution lacking from the earlier batsmen, they restored a measure of pride for Western Province.

Swart, who had been dropped by Davison at silly mid-off before scoring, played several magnificent strokes, especially driving to the off, and was looking set for a big score when he lifted a drive off du Preez to be caught by short mid-off Robertson.

The lat two wickets fell for only six runs, Davison diving full-length at his suicidal silly mid-off position to catch Jackman on the pitch, and Morris being bowled by Procter. Morris, who has been invaluable to Procter this season, batted with great tenacity for his 54, made in 155 minutes.

Province were out for a bewildering 118, to set Rhodesia the simple task of scoring 69 for a victory that had been unexpected before play began. But the drama was not over and Rhodesia lost young opener Brian Barbour first ball of their second innings, bowled by Jackman as he shuffled back.

Jimmy Mitchell got a snick on to a pad to be caught by short-leg Stephens, but the assured batting of Stuart Robertson, Rhodesia’s first-innings century-maker, and some brutal shots by Brian Davison carried the total to 57 before Davison was out in the last over before tea, trying to hook Fred Goldstein.

After tea, Robertson and Procter finished the job, and the game ended with Bruyns imitating Procter off a long run and another non-bowler, Goldstein, tossing up off-spinners from the other end.

The day was gloomy and overcast at first, but the sun broke through and the weather was brilliant as Rhodesia completed their second victory over Western Province at Newlands this season – an outstanding record.

RHODESIA’S TURN NEXT YEAR – PROCTER

By Glen Byrom; Wednesday 15 March 1972

The sweet taste of victory champagne in their Newlands dressing room on Monday was soured a little for Mike Procter and his fighting Rhodesian team as the players listened to the radio commentary of Transvaal beating Eastern Province at the Wanderers, Johannesburg.

That result virtually ruled Rhodesia out of contention for the Currie Cup this year, for Transvaal need only a few bonus points from their final match against Natal to retain the trophy, for which Rhodesia have made a spectacular bid late this season.

A draw or an Eastern Province win – which was always likely – would have suited Rhodesia, and the players listened with dismay at Charles Fortune said a light appeal by Graeme Pollock had been turned down. When the appeal was made 25 minutes before the close, Fortune commented: “If the normal light ruling for Wanderers is followed then the players must go off.”

But the umpires said play on and Transvaal pulled off an unexpected victory. While waiting at Johannesburg airport yesterday morning the Rhodesian team met former Springbok off-spinner David Pithey, who confirmed that he could not believe they carried on playing.

Graeme Pollock was quoted as saying he was ‘very surprised’ his appeal was not upheld. “I feel it was very valid,” he said.

The only way for Rhodesia still to win the Currie Cup is for the final Natal-Transvaal match at Kingsmead to be rained off before either side can accumulate enough bonus points to take over the top spot.

The season began poorly for Rhodesia. The Christmas-New Year tour was unsatisfactory and had the critics saying: “We’ll be back in the B Section next year.” Then came the remarkable transformation, which was an unlikely sequel to the early no-hope position.

The dynamic Mike Procter, king-pin of Rhodesia’s memorable Newlands triumph this week, is proving that his statements on Rhodesian cricket last season were not merely high hopes with little foundation.

“We’ll win the Currie Cup within three years,” he stated boldly, and this year he has shown that it can be done. After the Newlands match, Procter said he was disappointed Eastern Province had been beaten in Johannesburg, but that “next season we aim to make this Currie Cup a one-horse race.”

Summing up, he said: “This Rhodesian team has tremendous talent, in fact it is the best-balanced team in the Currie Cup this year. Next year I know we can win.”

Realistic words. With an average age of 24 – the youngest in the competition – Rhodesia can only improve, especially with Stuart Robertson now playing to his full stature as a number three batsman.

Cricket writers, officials and especially the players in Cape Town were unanimous that he is the best number three in the country and would be a certain choice right now were a Springbok side selected. I confirm the view and I also strongly believe that Rhodesia are the best all-round team in the Currie Cup.

Proof of Rhodesia’s new-found sting is that Procter’s side is the only one to have won outright away from home this season – and they have done it twice, against Transvaal and Western Province as well as winning friendlies against Northern Transvaal and Western Province.

So Rhodesia’s finest season has ended with the prospect of better things next season. The travel-weary Currie Cup players will be packing away their kit with some relief, except for Procter and Brian Davison, who must now think in terms of county cricket.

NOTE: Transvaal just avoided defeat in their match against Natal, but their four bonus points allowed them to retain the Currie Cup. They finished with 75 points against Rhodesia’s 73 – but with two victories and two defeats against Rhodesia’s record of three victories (more than any other team) and only one defeat.

PROCTER PRAISES BONUS POINTS SYSTEM, BUT . . .

By Glen Byrom; Friday 17 March 1972

The bonus points system, though good for cricket and producing more outright results, has still been ‘unfair’ in some respects. This is the view of Rhodesian cricket captain Mike Procter, who was answering questions at yesterday’s Rhodesian Sportswriters’ Association lunch at Salisbury Sports Club.

Also answering questions was Rhodesian manager, Mr Alwyn Pichanick, while the players were guests.

Procter said Transvaal had a distinct advantage over all other sides because their pitch and outfield at the Wanderers are much faster than elsewhere in the country and they could accumulate more bonus points. “It’s just not possible to get the same number of points at Newlands, Kingsmead or St George’s Park as it is at the Wanderers,” said Procter.

His theory, backed by Mr Pichanick, is highlighted by Transvaal’s present happy position in the Currie Cup competition. Bacher’s men have played four of their seven matches at the Wanderers and have accumulated 51 bonus points, while Natal are next with 44 bonus points from seven games. Rhodesia earned 43 from eight games.

“The only answer is to prepare better wickets,” said Procter. “It just isn’t possible to score quickly at Newlands without tossing away wickets.”

Mr Pichanick did not agree with a suggestion that there should also be some points for a first-innings lead, as this would encourage teams to ‘sit on their first-innings points’. The message of the bonus points scheme, with further points only awarded for outright victory, was to ‘encourage a position approach to the game’.

The Rhodesian manager said the system was played with good results in England, but that conditions were different. “In England there are generally more sporting declarations and it is considered ideal to limit a first innings to 85 overs to leave ample time for reaching a result. But they play many more games there and they also don’t have the bogey of relegation hanging over their heads. I think it might be a good thing to have an established A Section so teams don’t worry about relegation.

“B Section cricket is getting worse and the South African Board could force a couple of the smaller unions to combine and then play Currie Cup in one section, with the other teams then playing some other type of cricket, if necessary on a two-day basis.”

Mr Pichanick said it was ‘incredible’ how every province had prepared pitches this year especially to negate Procter’s pace bowling. “But we have also got good spinners and this has sometimes rebounded on them.”

Procter said if a Springbok team to tour Australia was picked now it would be ‘radically different’ from that chosen last season. “Players like Brian Barbour, Stuart Robertson, Brian Davison, Richie Kaschula and Jackie du Preez would all have to be seriously considered.”

At lunch the president of the Rhodesia Cricket Union, Mr Charles Martin, read out a letter from the Prime Minister, Mr Ian Smith, congratulating the team on their performances this season.

MIKE PROCTER SAYS . . . RIGHT ON, RHODESIA

Sunday Mail, 19 March 1972

By the time you read this I’ll be on my way to Durban for a few weeks’ holiday after a wonderful season of cricket in Rhodesia. I’m looking forward to relaxing in the sun before taking off for another stint in England on April 20.

But I won’t complain if it rains for a few days starting on Friday when Transvaal meet Natal in the Currie Cup decider. But even if the match in Durban goes on and one or both teams overhaul us on the Currie Cup log, I’ll still look back on this season as a great one.

Our challenge for the title started a little too late, but after the way the team played in the later matches I am more than confident of our chances next season.

What has been most satisfying is the way the young Rhodesian players have come on. Brian Barbour made a fabulous impact in his first season with the highlight being his maiden century against Natal in Bulawayo.

I know there are people who say this aggressive left-handed opening batsman will suffer because of a lack of technique. But I don’t agree. He is unorthodox and his defence could be brushed up a bit. But he himself knows this and I believe that a player with his talent who is prepared to hammer the loose ball will usually come out on top.

I certainly wouldn’t like to see him being over-coached in an attempt to make him a sounder player. As a fast bowler, I know how frustrating it can be to bowl to someone like Brian who doesn’t let you get away with any bad balls.

Duncan Fletcher is another young player who has come on tremendously. He is bowling faster now than before – and is also more accurate. That is quite a combination. I feel he is batting better than ever and he is a very valuable all-round.

Then there’s Paddy Clift, who made great strides in the second half of the season. This young medium-pace bowler, in his first season of senior cricket, already thinks like a veteran and he can only get better.

Martin Benkenstein came into the side for the last two matches and immediately made his mark with his accomplished batting and outstanding fielding. In fact, all four of the young players I have mentioned are excellent fielders.

Altogether, I can offer nothing but praise for the whole team. There was a great spirit and we had a wonderfully balanced side, with batting right down the order and a complete battery of different kinds of bowlers.

One of the things that benefited the national team was that we played two friendly first-class matches in addition to our eight Currie Cup matches. As far as I am concerned, the more cricket the better. Employers have been very good as far as leave is concerned and I realize this could be a problem, but I hope the authorities will continue to arrange as many matches as possible.

The progress made in Rhodesia has been wonderful, but there is still something I would like to see to keep the momentum going. I would like to see every province in Rhodesia have its own full-time coach because there is still a lack of coaches. Obviously it requires money but the benefits would be enormous.

I’ve got a long season of county cricket ahead of me after my Durban holiday, but I’m looking forward to meeting old friends again. But what I am really looking forward to is returning to Rhodesia in September to help Rhodesia win the Currie Cup next season.

Until then, farewell.