With Peter May's England touring team (or M.C.C., as it was then known) in Southern Africa, it was a limited season for Rhodesian cricket. Two matches were played against one of England's most powerful teams, and both were lost by an innings. Although many players may have thought themselves out of their depth, hope for the future came in the form of a youngster who was different. Colin Bland, then an 18-year-old schoolboy, fielded brilliantly as substitute in the first match and then made top score (19 and 38) in both innings in the second.

Earlier in the season Rhodesia played a two-day friendly in Salisbury against Transvaal, scoring 298 in reply to Transvaal's 471/7 declared. One of the most memorable features was the debut for Rhodesia of the aggressive batsman Paul Winslow, formerly with Transvaal; he hit a lightning 47 in 25 minutes, but did little against the English tourists. Only one other first-class match was played during the season, a friendly against Transvaal in Johannesburg, where Rhodesia saved the match after being forced to follow on.

At Queens Sports Club; 17, 18, 19 November. RHODESIA 192 (D O'Connell-Jones 45, D J Lewis 37, P N F Mansell 50; T E Bailey 4/22, J H Wardle 3/68) and 129 (C A R Duckworth 40, D J Lewis 30; G A R Lock 5/12). MCC 407/7 dec (P E Richardson 100, A S M Oakman 44, D C S Compton 49, P B H May 124*, D J Insole 67; H V Paton 3/59). MCC won by an innings and 86 runs.

At Salisbury Sports Club; 23, 24, 25, 26 November. MCC 501 (T E Bailey 110, P B H May 206, B Taylor 46, T G Evans 50; G B Lawrence 6/104, G H Barber 3/108). RHODESIA 57 (P J Loader 7/28) and 152 (K C Bland 38; J C Laker 3/63). MCC won by an innings and 292 runs.

At Johannesburg; 18, 19, 21 January. TRANSVAAL 417 (A Tayfield 69, W R Endean 171, K J Funston 89, H J Tayfield 37*; G B Lawrence 5/95, P N F Mansell 4/131). RHODESIA 212 (A J Pithey 90, D J Lewis 47; D Pistorius 3/39) and 252/6 (A J Pithey 69, C A R Duckworth 105). 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 1957/58