The 1970/71 season was notable for two great events after the disappointments of the two previous seasons: the coming of Gary Sobers, the greatest all-rounder in world cricket at that time, to play in a double-wicket competition in Salisbury, and the coming of Mike Procter, South Africa's greatest all-rounder, to play for the national side.

Seldom can one man have revitalised a team as Mike Procter did Rhodesia during this season. In both batting and bowling he was in a class of his own and, although the rest of the team contained much raw talent, they had not the confidence yet to form a successful side without his dominance. Procter always gave his all to every team for which he played, and in no way did he ever take it easy or appear over-confident against B Section opposition. As a batsman he became only the third player in history to score six successive first-class centuries, scored in six different matches as Rhodesia overwhelmed the opposition. He generally came in to bat after an adequate but not outstanding start to the innings and proceeded to take apart the opposition batting and take his team into a winning position. As a bowler he generally made a decisive early breakthrough and was then content to let the spinners run through the rest of the batting. He also took valuable catches in the slips.

Without Procter, Rhodesia would probably not have had the confidence to dominate the B Section enough to fight their way back to the A Section again and, after their past failures there, the SACA would probably have been reluctant to promote them immediately unless their leadership of the section had been decisive. With five outright victories and a draw very much in their favour, there could be no doubt that they deserved promotion -- and, in fact, they were never demoted again. They began the season by beating Border, whom they dismissed for 57 (1 run, a no-ball, for five wickets at one stage) thanks to a devastating opening spell by Procter, and then Natal B, before rain prevented them from overcoming Transvaal B, whom they forced to follow on. After three innings victories on tour, they challenged and beat Western Province, albeit without Eddie Barlow, in a friendly match, with Procter scoring a brilliant 254, his sixth consecutive century. His only 'failure' during t he season was an innings of 45 against Border, when Rhodesia was already well ahead and he was looking only for quick runs.

Procter naturally headed the batting averages, with 934 runs at 133.28 each. John McPhun, back in form, scored 525 runs (average 75.00), while Ray Gripper (296 at 32.88) and Stuart Robertson (261 at 32.62) also passed 250. The bowling aggregate was actually headed by a newcomer, the giant left-arm spinner Richie Kaschula, who took 41 wickets at an average of 14.82. Procter had the better average, with 26 wickets at 13.46. Jackie du Preez also enjoyed a good season with the ball, taking 30 wickets, his best seasonal aggregate of his career, at 22.77. The spinners found it much easier to bowl after Procter had softened up the opposition for them. John Traicos, at university in Natal, did not play for Rhodesia this season, and did not play again until 1973/74; with du Preez and Kaschula in the team, it was difficult to find room for him. Dave Seagrave, a newcomer, and Duncan Fletcher usually gave Procter seam bowling support.

At Police B Ground, Salisbury; 14, 15, (16) November. BORDER 57 (M J Procter 5/8, P R McLoughlin 3/16) and 159 (N O Knight 54; R H Kaschula 5/56, J H du Preez 4/76). RHODESIA 384/8 dec (R A Gripper 71, J D McPhun 124, M J Procter 45, J H du Preez 36*; C P Wilkins 4/90). Rhodesia won by an innings and 168 runs.

At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo; 21, 22, 23 November. NATAL B 188 (G C Heath 31, P P Henwood 46; M J Procter 3/46, R H Kaschula 3/41) and 283 (B S Groves 81, T C Macdonald 47, M A Riddell 31, N A McDonald 36*; R H Kaschula 4/61). RHODESIA 376 (R A Gripper 54, J D McPhun 79, M J Procter 119, E T Laughlin 47; A G Wood 6/113) and 99/1 (R A Gripper 40, S D Robertson 37*). Rhodesia won by nine wickets.

At Police B Ground, Salisbury; (28), 29, 30 November. RHODESIA 351 (S D Robertson 58, M J Procter 129; C E B Rice 4/66, S J McAdam 3/87). TRANSVAAL B 119 (F S Goldstein 37, E V Chatterton 44; R H Kaschula 3/29, J H du Preez 6/37) and 89/2 (F S Goldstein 39, D R Neilson 39). Match drawn, Rhodesia leading on first innings.

At Bloemfontein; 28, 29, 30 December. ORANGE FREE STATE 66 (M J Procter 3/26, R H Kaschula 5/13) and 178 (N Rosendorff 60; D G Seagrave 4/46). RHODESIA 348/6 dec (S D Robertson 46, J D McPhun 154, M J Procter 107). Rhodesia won by an innings and 104 runs.

At Pretoria; 1, 2, 4 January. RHODESIA 369/9 dec (S D Robertson 31, M J Procter 174, B F Davison 42, H A B Gardiner 51; D F Becker 3/82, J Strydom 3/55). NORTH-EASTERN TRANSVAAL 187 (G G M de Villiers 73; M J Procter 3/20, D A G Fletcher 3/34) and 164 (J H du Preez 3/54, R H Kaschula 4/43). Rhodesia won by an innings and 18 runs.

At Kimberley; 7, 8, (9) January. RHODESIA 386/6 dec (J D McPhun 45, M J Procter 106, B F Davison 137*, H A B Gardiner 31). GRIQUALAND WEST 87 (B W Burrow 37; M J Procter 3/15, R H Kaschula 3/16) and 231 (L A McNamara 78, D J S Taylor 57; J H du Preez 4/68). Rhodesia won by an innings and 68 runs.

(Friendly) At Police B Ground, Salisbury; 5, 6, 7 March. RHODESIA 383 (M J Procter 254, H A B Gardiner 69; G A Chevalier 4/108) and 142/3 (R A Gripper 49, J D McPhun 71*). WESTERN PROVINCE 189 (N R Budge 34, M H Bowditch 39; R H Kaschula 5/72) and 334 (H M Ackerman 35, M H Bowditch 31, G P Pfuhl 117, P D Swart 33; D A G Fletcher 3/57, J H du Preez 3/89). Rhodesia won by seven wickets.

GILLETTE CUP COMPETITION (60 overs)

At Police B Ground, Salisbury; 13 December. RHODESIA 288 (59.5 overs) (R A Gripper 50, B H Oldrieve 53, M J Procter 96; P H J Trimborn 3/39). NATAL 108 (39.4 overs) (M B Madsen 23, P H J Trimborn 20; R H Kaschula 3/21). Rhodesia won by 180 runs.

(Semi-final) At Johannesburg; 27 February. RHODESIA 194/7 (60 overs) (S D Robertson 39, M J Procter 34; B F Bath 3/21). TRANSVAAL 74/5 (20 overs) (P R Carlstein 32). Transvaal won on faster scoring rate.

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 1971/72