Rhodesian first-class cricket in 1949/50

Captain: Sid Martin

For the second successive season, the presence of a touring team meant that the Currie Cup competition was not held. This time the tourists, Lindsay Hassett's Australians and the first team from that country to visit Rhodesia, came in early November and so avoided the rains. The Australians were still the world champions, and they enjoyed a highly successful tour of South Africa, remaining unbeaten throughout.

The Rhodesian selectors chose no fewer than six regular opening batsmen in their team for the Bulawayo match, perhaps with the great Ray Lindwall in mind. However, it was the spinners who caused most of the damage, despite the lifeless pitch, and Rhodesia, like most of the South African provinces, tumbled to an overwhelming defeat.

Instead of a second match against Rhodesia, the South African authorities decided to give Salisbury a representative match, a strong South African XI against the Australians. Two local players, Harris and promising batsman Kevin Curran, were included, but this team also suffered an innings defeat.

A Transvaal team, captained by Eric Rowan, played Rhodesia at the Old Hararians Ground in Salisbury -- which in those days was at the Showgrounds, not its present site. After being forced to follow on, centuries from Bernard Carew and `Bev' Franklin almost brought about a surprise victory.

At Queens Ground, Bulawayo; November 11, 12, 14. RHODESIA 166 (S H Martin 30, J H A Wallace 38*; I W Johnson 3/47, C L McCool 3/55) and 71 (I W Johnson 5/24, C L McCool 4/30). AUSTRALIANS 398 (A R Morris 104, J R Moroney 104, S J Loxton 76, A L Hassett 66*; P N F Mansell 6/89). Australians won by an innings and 161 runs.

(Representative match) At Salisbury Sports Club; November 19, 21, 22. AUSTRALIANS 312 (A R Morris 43, J R Moroney 55, R N Harvey 34, S J Loxton 43, R A Saggers 32; M G Melle 4/82, H J Tayfield 3/112, J E Waddington 3/104). SOUTH AFRICAN XI 84 (O E Wynne 35; R R Lindwall 4/6, A K Walker 4/22) and 156 (J E Cheetham 32, H J Tayfield 30; R R Lindwall 3/16). Australians won by an innings and 72 runs.

At Old Hararians (Showgrounds), Salisbury; 18, 19, 20 March. TRANSVAAL 270 (E A B Rowan 52, O W Grinaker 48, B Mitchell 31, I B Marx 49; E S Newson 3/30, A S Carew 3/73) and 135/7 (B Mitchell 48*; S H Martin 3/41). RHODESIA 64 (A D Furniss 3/20, D A Clark 3/6) and 392 (R W J Ashburner 46, S H Martin 44, E S Newson 56, B J Carew 107, C D Franklin 101*; D A Clark 4/83, B Mitchell 4/82). Match drawn.

It is intended in the future to produce full scorecards, and also much more information about all cricket in Rhodesia during this season. At present, the next entry in this section is for 1950/51