Rhodesian first-class cricket in 1967/68

Rhodesia, in the B Section of the Currie Cup, illustrated the unsatisfactory nature of the promotion and relegation system by dominating the section and winning back their place in the A Division for the following season. They also showed how their performance was governed by the reputation of the opposition and their own confidence, as this confidence was much less evident in the previous and ensuing seasons against A Section teams.

With Tony Pithey announcing his availability for home matches only, Colin Bland took over the captaincy and did a quiet, efficient job. His own batting form was inconsistent; he scored two centuries but did little else. His 197 against Border was a record individual score for Rhodesia, until overtaken in the next match by Ray Gripper's 279 not out. This was also a new Currie Cup record, which was to stand for more than twenty years. But the opposition was very weak, and the high scores also showed that Rhodesia was misplaced in the B Section and also, once again, the confidence factor.

The only real setback to the season was in the match against Western Province at Cape Town, where the team was forced to follow on, but saved the match, thanks largely to a century by Jono Clarke on his debut. The home match against Transvaal B proved the closest contest of the season, while Rhodesia were not able to beat Natal B outright.

Ray Gripper topped the batting averages with 529 runs at 75.57, although more than half of his runs came against Orange Free State. Peter Carlstein, the South African Test player, played his first season for Rhodesia, scoring a century in his first match, and scored 427 runs during the season at an average of 53.37. Bland's 404 runs were at an average of 57.71, while Jono Clark scored 381 runs at 47.62. Unfortunately he was never really to make the grade against A Section opposition.

Jackie du Preez was not so dominating with the bat when the need was less urgent, although typically he had his best all-round performance in the close match against Transvaal B when it was most needed. He took 28 wickets at an average of 23.75, while Eddie Parker led the pace attack with 25 at 19.60. The averages, though, were surprisingly headed by Brian Davison, in his first season, who was a useful all-rounder in his youth. His medium-pacers captured 17 wickets at an average of 15.58.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 25, 26, 27 November. NATAL B 211 (B S Groves 46, N R Ireland 36, G C Heath 39; N R Williams 3/65) and 258/5 dec (N R Ireland 152*, G C Heath 62; E F Parker 3/62). RHODESIA 309 (R A Gripper 43, P R Carlstein 125, K C Bland 32, B F Davison 47; N A McDonald 4/77, R M Nicholson 4/91) and 30/0. Match drawn, Rhodesia leading on first innings.

At Cape Town; 26, 27, 28 December. WESTERN PROVINCE 505/8 dec (A Bruyns 160, R K Muzzell 161, G P Pfuhl 65; E F Parker 4/110). RHODESIA 272 (R B Ullyett 37, P R Carlstein 89, E F Parker 31, D W Townshend 35; A S Hodgson 4/50, R E T Morris 3/38) and 243/7 (J K Clarke 112*, R B Ullyett 42, P R Carlstein 37; G S Hugo 4/37). Match drawn, Western Province leading on first innings.

At East London; 30 December, 1, 2 January. BORDER 210 (C P Wilkins 63, D D L Tricker 49; K C Bland 3/23) and 265 (W S Farrer 109, D D L Tricker 436, G A Minkley 39; J H du Preez 5/117). RHODESIA 452/7 dec (R A Gripper 61, J K Clarke 48, R B Ullyett 78, K C Bland 197) and 27/3 (G W Nelson 3/6). Rhodesia won by seven wickets.

At Bloemfontein; 2, 3, 5 February. ORANGE FREE STATE 252 (N Rosendorff 120; E F Parker 4/50) and 235 (N Rosendorff 69, P A Strydom 75; E F Parker 6/74, B F Davison 3/35). RHODESIA 549/1 dec (R A Gripper 279*, J K Clarke 130, R B Ullyett 126*). Rhodesia won by an innings and 62 runs.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 27, 28, 29 January. RHODESIA 149 (K C Bland 31, P R Carlstein 31, H A B Gardiner 34*; D P Aldworth 4/27) and 255 (P R Carlstein 93, J H du Preez 72; G P Fairon 4/60). TRANSVAAL B 177 (P J D Flanagan 56, G A Minkley 66; K C Bland 4/40, J H du Preez 3/40) and 188 (B F Bath 43, P D de Vaal 46, P J D Flanagan 41; J H du Preez 8/92). Rhodesia won by 39 runs.

At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo; 24, 25, 26 February. GRIQUALAND WEST 196 (M J D Doherty 33, K T M Saggers 38; B F Davison 3/29, J H du Preez 6/74) and 213 (D J Schonegevel 98; P R McLoughlin 4/53, B F Davison 5/52). RHODESIA 388 (R A Gripper 55, J K Clarke 56, P R Carlstein 36, K C Bland 116, H A B Gardiner 37, B F Davison 32; D J Schonegevel 3/74) and 22/1. Rhodesia won by nine wickets.

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 1968/69