McPHUN IN TOUR TEAM

Monday 9 December 1968

John McPhun, the Old Hararians captain and batsman, has been included in the Rhodesian team to tour South Africa later this month, and current 12th man, Stuart Robertson, replaces Tony Pithey, who is not available to tour.

The team is: Colin Bland (capt), Jono Clarke, Ray Gripper, Peter Carlstein, Stuart Robertson, jack du Preez, Brian Davison, Eddie Parker, Roy McLoughlin, Tony de Caila, John Traicos and John McPhun.

The choice of another batsman was rather surprising, as it is well known that the matches down south will in all likelihood be played on 'green top' pitches where seamers like Neville Williams or left armer Waine Lawton could have been most useful.

McPhun is being given another chance ahead of Jack Heron, who was being 'blooded' and is making runs this season. Let's hope McPhun accepts his chance, for he too has been batting well recently.

PITHEY IS FREE FOR MORE CRICKET NEXT YEAR

By Fred Cleary (Sunday Mail, 22 December 1968)

Tony Pithey may be free for away as well as home matches for Rhodesia next season. Rhodesia's best batsman is joining Rhodesian Breweries early in the New Year, and it is generally the policy of the sports-minded company to release its employees for representative duties.

Pithey is joining the Breweries central marketing department in Salisbury. Unfortunately, he will almost certainly take up his new post a few weeks too late to be available for the Rhodesian team's second leg Currie Cup tour.

The team flies off on Christmas Eve for matches against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth on December 26-28 and Natal in Durban on December 31-January 2, and then plays Transvaal (Johannesburg, January 17-20) and a friendly against North-Eastern Transvaal (January 24-27). And I understand from selection convenor Alwyn Pichanick that the side could be changed after the first two games.

Thus, had he been free, the former Springbok and Rhodesian captain might have been on hand to continue scoring runs as freely and as impressively abroad in a manner which has been a feature of this current season - 697 in 11 completed representative and league innings. Even at 36 next season, Tony Pithey's availability should delight the selectors.

While lamenting the absence of Pithey on this tour, I only hope our bowlers can take advantage of the coastal wickets. Eastern Province have Test seamer Peter Pollock and Natal Mike Procter ready to tackle our batsmen, and there is bound to be enough grass on the wickets to assist them.

Our seamers Eddie Parker, Roy McLoughlin and Brian Davison, have not seen much grass on their two home games played this season and have yet to find consistently commanding form. Parker has been a particular headache, and if he cannot find better length and direction than he has so far, then the selectors may still regret omitting another seamer.

However, Colin Bland is happy with the team and is confident we will give both these strong coastal provinces a hard time.

The Natal manager, Derek Dowling, said the Rhodesians' fielding in the November match was the finest he has ever seen. High praise, and certainly it was magnificent.

Fine fielding usually reflects high team spirit, and of this there is no doubt in this current side. Credit here must go to captain Bland, who has blossomed impressively as a leader over the past years and who has the complete respect of his side.

All the players have worked hard at nightly net practice since the Transvaal match was washed out and no fitter team will have left this country. However, our batting still needs a good opening start (one down for nought, one for eight and one for 28 in three starts).

Rhodesia will again rely heavily on the brilliant all-round play of Springbok Jackie du Preez. He took six Natal first innings wickets for 149 in November with his leg-spinners and then scored 89 audacious runs against Transvaal. A tremendous fighter, du Preez may well swing one of these matches our way.

And if Colin Bland runs into top batting gear and Ray Gripper reproduces form like his impressive second innings of 80 against Natal, the home bowlers will have to do plenty of digging out.

Even though Procter has yet to find his last season brilliance and Brian Davison has not stayed around long enough to tear apart an opposing attack with his strong wrists and slick timing in the manner which originally helped to earn him his place in the side, the batting department looks far more mature.

I believe there is less danger of it buckling than in previous years, and without trying to sound chauvinistic, I believe this Rhodesian side will gain its fair share of points over the next few weeks.

There is no automatic promotion and relegation in the Currie Cup this season, so, although Rhodesia is pointless so far from two games, there is no need to go into the second half of the season with a defensive, stave-off-defeat-at-all-costs frame of mind.

Anyway, this attitude is anathema to Colin Bland.

E. PROVINCE BANKING ON ALL SEAM ATTACK AGAINST RHODESIA (Port Elizabeth, Monday)

Tuesday 24 December 1968

Neither Eastern Province nor Rhodesia have anything to lose in their Currie Cup fixture at St George's Park here on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week and, for this reason alone, it could be a match of thrills.

Rhodesia have no points at all, and Eastern Province will be in the mood to retaliate following the sharp rebuff they suffered recently at the hands of Natal in Maritzburg. Outright victory must be the goal for both sides if they are to remain strong Currie Cup contenders.

Eastern Province, meanwhile, have a few problems. First of all their star batsman and captain, Springbok Graeme Pollock, fielded but did not bat in a club match on Saturday. He was suffering from the after-effects of the rich fare he ate at a Christmas party.

Secondly, left-arm seam bowler Gordon Den did not play for his club on Saturday because of a shoulder injury which hampered him in the match against Natal. And, in addition, Eastern Province must be worried about the complete lack of batting support for Pollock, Wilmot and Biggs at Maritzburg.

Happily, both Pollock and Den reported today that they are recovering well. ``I'm still feeling a little weak,'' Pollock said, ``but I'm sure I'll be quite fit by Thursday.''

Den said: ``I've bowled a few practice balls without feeling any strain.''

Commenting on the match, Graeme Pollock said: ``There will be no room for half-measures. We have to set our sights on full points from the start.'' This is not going to be easy and will depend largely on the batting.

Opener Arthur Short has not yet recovered his best form, Peter Fenix is under something of a cloud following his two ducks against Natal and despite his promising club century, and the bottom half of the order has been most disappointing. Eastern Province must give their bowlers a sizeable target if the Rhodesians are to be curbed.

Meanwhile Rhodesian captain Colin Bland, fresh from his two half-centuries against Natal and an innings of 25 against Transvaal, leads a side strong in batting, but perhaps suspect in bowling, if one excludes the versatile leg-spinner, Jackie du Preez.

The Rhodesians are also currently rated the best fielding side in the competition, which is not surprising considering Bland's example.

An interesting bowler will be Traicos, who toured overseas with S.A. Varsities. He spins his off-breaks sharply and could trouble the Eastern Province batsmen.

On a pitch which is expected to favour the strong Eastern Province seam attack, the feeling persists that the result, as far as Eastern Province is concerned, will almost certainly hinge on the number of runs the batsmen provide as a platform for the bowlers.

RHODESIA'S NEED IS SOLID BATTING TO WIN THIS GAME

By Cecil Whittaker (Wednesday 25 December 1968)

Colin Bland and his Rhodesian Currie Cup cricket team left by air yesterday for Port Elizabeth, where they play Eastern Province tomorrow, Friday and Saturday in their third match of the season. Rhodesia lost on the first innings to Natal and there was no decision in their match against Transvaal, which means they have yet to earn their first point.

Following the match in Port Elizabeth, the Rhodesians go to Durban to play Natal on December 31, January 1 and 2.

With John McPhun replacing Tony Pithey, who was not available to tour, the line-up against Eastern Province will probably read:

Jono Clarke, Ray Gripper, John McPhun, Peter Carlstein, Colin Bland, Jack du Preez, Brian Davison, Eddie Parker, Roy McLoughlin, Tony de Caila and John Traicos. Stuart Robertson, who has a league batting average of 104.8, will probably be 12th man for this match.

There is little doubt about the solidarity of the batting in this side, although they will be facing Springbok pace bowler Peter Pollock, former Rhodesian Gordon Den and Sibley McAdam on what is likely to be a green-top. Province will no doubt rely on their pace attack, for they are a bit thin in the spin department, and this is where Rhodesia could have an edge.

The last time these two provinces met, Easterns won in exciting fashion by only one wicket. Unless there is something drastically wrong with the pitch or the Rhodesians, Province are unlikely to win outright this time.

Rhodesia will miss the solid batting of Tony Pithey at number three, for all too frequently he has been called upon to stop the rot after an early setback. And it is to be hoped Clarke and Gripper get the side off to a reasonable start.

McPhun has been batting well lately, but he has not had to face the likes of Pollock and Den for some time. Perhaps if there is a quick drop, Carlstein will be sent in at number three. There is plenty of batting to come, and Jack du Preez, who had two big innings last time he played against Province, is unlikely to be overawed by the opposition.

Bland is in fine form, Eddie Parker is looking more his old self and a lot more responsible with the bat, and Davison must be due for a score. A lot could depend on the state of the pitch and the luck of the toss.

Then Rhodesian attack, although not lauded by the critics, is adequate and, given a turning pitch, could be effective. Du Preez can always be relied on to get his share of wickets, and off-spinner Traicos is a lot more experienced than when he first played for Rhodesia.

The Rhodesian seam bowlers might relish a bit of grass on the pitch, and a bit of life. Parker can be quite lively on a responsive pitch, and Davison is a useful seamer.

Judging from the nine-wicket beating the home side took from Natal recently, their batting can be a bit brittle. They will be relying heavily on Graeme Pollock, Lorrie Wilmot, Neville Mallett and Tony Biggs.

There is not much between the respective batting strengths, and the result could hinge on Peter Pollock's performance for the home side and du Preez's bowling for the Rhodesians. Both men can be match-winners.

RHODESIANS FLOUNDERED ON GREEN TOP TO E.P. PACE ATTACK (Port Elizabeth, Thursday)

Friday 27 December 1968

At the close of play on the opening day of their Currie Cup 'A' Section match against Rhodesia at St George's Park, Eastern Province are strongly placed. In reply to the visitors' first innings total of 186 all out, the home team had scored 171 for one wicket. It was an outstanding opening partnership of 135 between the two young batsmen, Arthur Short and Anthony Biggs, which has put Eastern Province on the road to victory.

It was a forceful and determined half-century by Carlstein that prevented a complete rout. Carlstein came in when the score was in the balance at 43 for two and he must have been a worried man as five further wickets toppled for the addition of only 50 more runs to leave the Rhodesians 93 for seven.

But he got his head down to contribute 53 invaluable runs in 98 minutes, including six boundaries. Watchful on defence, Carlstein nevertheless did not neglect an opportunity to punish the bowling and there were several glorious cover drives to punctuate his innings. Earlier the Eastern Province pace attack of Peter Pollock and Sibley McAdam had established a tight hold on the proceedings, Pollock taking three for six, McAdam two for three, and Den two for 30 in the pre-lunch period.

Then came a lively last-wicket stand between McLoughlin and Traicos, who put on 44 valuable runs. McLoughlin scored 37 of these, to be his side's second top scorer.

The bowling honours were shared by Eastern Province's three pacemen - Peter Pollock claimed four, Sibley McAdam three, and Gordon Den two. The greatest blow to Rhodesia's hopes was the dismissal of Bland for a duck when he dragged a delivery from pace bowler Sibley McAdam on to his stumps.

The Eastern Province seam attack were in command almost throughout the morning session when only Peter Carlstein was able to weather the storm. He hit several magnificent shots, particularly two boundaries through the covers, and was 35 not out at lunch.

The Rhodesian batting collapsed disappointingly in the pre-lunch session. After a promising start by Gripper and Clarke they lost seven wickets in this period for 103 runs.

Eastern Province might so easily have been in an even stronger position but for two catching lapses. When Carlstein was 27 he was dropped - a straight-forward offering at first slip - by Graeme Pollock off brother Peter's bowling, and Bezuidenhout grassed an equally easy catch at mid-on, offered by Davison at 13.

Fortunately for Bezuidenhout, Lorrie Wilmot dived to hold a magnificent catch almost on the turf and one-handed to dismiss Davison after the Rhodesian had added only four more to his score.

Eastern Province opened their innings a few minutes before three o'clock with Biggs and Short. Parker's first over produced eight runs from boundaries through gully.

The Rhodesians, Parker, McLoughlin and Davison, bowled a good line and runs did not come easily. Du Preez came on just before tea and was unlucky not to get Short caught in the gully by Traicos, who dived full length. Tea was taken at 44 for nought.

Short was still there at the close with 69 not out. Biggs, whose innings of 71 included three towering sixes off successive balls, fell to a return catch to Jackie du Preez.

ONLY MIRACLE CAN SAVE THIS MATCH FOR RHODESIA (Port Elizabeth, Friday)

>From Fred Cleary (Saturday 28 December 1968)

Rhodesia face a humiliating defeat at the hands of Eastern Province in this 'A' Section Currie Cup cricket match at St George's Park. At the close tonight on the second day they were 143 for six wickets, and it will take a miracle to save this game which, apart from one spell this morning, was never really out of the grasp of the home team.

Province bowled and batted well, and although the Rhodesian bowling this morning was impressive - especially off-spinner John Traicos - the visiting batsmen have wilted under pressure and, to be honest, deserve no other fate. With one day to go and the weather remaining fair, Rhodesia are only seven runs ahead with four wickets in hand in reply to the Eastern Province first innings of 322.

But with defeat imminent, one must pay the highest tribute to the fighting spirit of Colin Bland. The Rhodesian captain battled manfully this afternoon and tried hard to stitch this innings together. He was restrained, yet never dull, careful, yet enterprising, while staying for 159 minutes to score 60.

He went to a fine catch at midwicket by McAdam off Mallett and, had he stayed, Rhodesia might have still been in there with a chance. Now, however, the task appears to be impossible.

Rhodesian hopes were high at lunch of even winning the match, as some penetrating bowling by both Traicos and McLoughlin had split open what had appeared to be a watertight Province batting combination. From being 171 at the close on Boxing Day for the loss of only one wicket, Province couldn't cope with Traicos's bowling from the duckpond end, and into the southeast wind.

He pinned the great Graeme Pollock for long spells by bowling round the wicket and forcing the Springbok left-hander to turn the ball time and again near the eager hands of Jack du Preez at backward square leg.

Traicos is playing in only his fourth Currie Cup game and the third in which he has actually bowled. And he bowled with such intelligence that he was able to command the greatest of respect from the Province batsmen who had the psychological advantage of a splendid first-wicket start, and the assistance of a wicket which gave little help to the bowlers.

When Rhodesia batted again, the chances of a close finish looked good from the visitors' angle. Ray Gripper and Jono Clarke again appeared happy, but once more Rhodesia started badly. This time Gripper pulled a ball on to his wicket at 18 from Peter Pollock, and from then on the Province bowlers took the initiative. Clarke got some valuable runs, but de Caila failed again and so did Carlstein.

Robertson played a most responsibly controlled and patient innings of 27 and helped Bland put on for the fifth wicket.

But once he went, and Bland was finally beaten, Rhodesia's hopes evaporated. Only rain, or some inspired batting tomorrow, can really save the team from flying on to the Durban match against Natal with no points from three games.

BLAND'S MEN SLUMP TO DEFEAT (Port Elizabeth, Saturday)

>From Fred Cleary (Sunday Mail, 29 December 1968)

There is gloom in the Rhodesian cricket camp tonight. Bowler Roy McLoughlin lies badly injured in a nearby hospital, and the team which Colin Bland brought down here so proudly to do Currie Cup battle with Eastern Province licks its wounds after taking a nine-wicket thrashing at St George's Park.

A miracle was needed this morning to stave off the inevitable defeat after Rhodesia's collapse against pace on Friday. And that miracle didn't arrive.

True, Eddie Parker fought bravely to the bitter end, swinging his broad bat with judicious effect to score 42 commendable runs this morning. But although Brian Davison did stay for a while, the Province bowlers had little trouble routing the Rhodesians.

Rhodesia added 74 runs this morning in 102 minutes, thus setting Province the comparatively easy task of scoring 82 runs for victory in their second innings, with hours to spare.

And this they did. Dassie Biggs slammed an aggressive undefeated 52 in 88 minutes, Arthur Short weighed in with 25 before falling to a brilliant running catch by Brian Davison, and the required runs were scored by 2.30 p.m. under a hot sun and blue sky, which just cried out for more cricket.

But there was no more for the simple reason that the Rhodesians did not know how to play seam bowling. Of the 19 Rhodesian wickets which fell in this match, 17 went to the Province seam combination of Peter Pollock, Sibley McAdam, Gordon Den and Lorrie Wilmot. The wicket did have grass and encouraged the bowlers, but it was not a true greentop, and the ball did not whip through and beat anyone with pace alone.

Ray Gripper stayed 42 minutes and scored 10 in the first innings and failed with 8 in the second innings. On each occasion, he started well and looked good.

Had Gripper stayed, the story might have been different. But he didn't, and for the fourth time this season the Rhodesian middle batting has had to start out with a handicap. Gripper and Clarke scored nought and eight for the first wicket against Natal, 28 against Transvaal and now 33 and 18 against Eastern Province.

This is not good enough in A Section cricket, and the selectors must be wondering what to do for the next match against Natal, and return games against Transvaal in Johannesburg and Eastern Province in Bulawayo.

To make matters worse, Rhodesia have problems at number three. Tony Pithey was fine at home, but when he could not travel, wicket-keeper Tony de Caila was tried in this game. He may have a broad, if sterile, bat, but is no man to face a new ball with the opposing attack fresh and thirsting for wickets.

The Rhodesian tour selectors - manager Pichanick, captain Bland and vice-captain Gripper - are reluctant to play Peter Carlstein at number three, for they believe he has a complex against Peter Pollock. But Carlstein scored 55 splendid runs in the first innings here and he may well have to go in at three against Natal.

Stuart Robertson promised much, looked good while scoring only 9 and 27, and here again it was inability to master good seam bowling , despite being at the crease for a fair period, which helped lead to defeat.

Colin Bland went to a fine ball from McAdam in the first innings but was superb in the second. He also led his team brilliantly in the field and, overall, the Rhodesians' ground fielding gave away little and several fine catches were held.

Apart from two good innings by Bland and Carlstein, the other redeeming feature was the blossoming of off-spinner John Traicos in this match. He hardly says a word on or off the field, but his actions speak for themselves. His match figures of three for 123 in no way reflects the way he tied up the Province batsmen for long spells - including the great Graeme Pollock. Throw in his fine gully fielding and you have a cricketer with an interesting future.

McLOUGHLIN HURT - PECK JOINS TEAM (Port Elizabeth, Saturday)

>From Fred Cleary (Sunday Mail, 29 December 1968)

The Rhodesian cricket team has an alarming list of casualties following their Currie Cup match here against Eastern Province, and steps have been taken to fly at least one replacement to Durban for the match against Natal next week.

The most serious injury was sustained by seam bowler Roy McLoughlin, who was struck on the cheekbone by a rising delivery from Eastern Province fast bowler Sibley McAdam in Rhodesia's second innings.

McLoughlin, who doubled over in acute pain after being hit, was rushed to hospital where he underwent an operation for a suspected crushed cheekbone. Whatever the result of the operation, McLoughlin will obviously be out of the game against Natal that starts on Tuesday in Durban.

The Rhodesian team manager, Mr Alwyn Pichanick, has called on the Bulawayo pace man, Noel Peck, who was due to travel to Johannesburg with the Rhodesian Under-23 side for their game against the Transvaal. Peck will instead join the senior side in Durban.

Apart from McLoughlin's injury, there are three other injured Rhodesian players - Tony de Caila, Jack du Preez and Peter Carlstein.

Wicket-keeper de Caila was hit on the left forearm on Friday afternoon by Springbok pace bowler Peter Pollock. But the injury did not appear serious until this morning, when it had swelled considerably overnight. Howie Gardiner, the Salisbury Alexandra and former Rhodesian wicket-keeper, has been asked to stand by in case he is needed for Durban.

Du Preez and Carlstein are both sporting injured thumbs, but are well enough to see out the rest of the tour. Du Preez put his right thumb out of place when diving to hold a return drive from Biggs in the Eastern Province first innings. Although he continued to play in the second innings and will play in the next match against Natal, his bowling may be affected by a heavy bandage around the damaged thumb.

Peter Carlstein is in much the same predicament. He was struck on the left thumb by a rising ball from Peter Pollock in the Rhodesian first innings.

The Eastern Province 12th man, Arthur Rudman, joined Rhodesian reserve John McPhun in the field for Eastern Province's second innings and opening bat Jono Clarke kept wicket.

McLoughlin was resting quietly in the Port Elizabeth Hospital tonight after an hour-long operation on his face.

A local plastic surgeon opened up the cheek, level with his eyebrow, and with an instrument straightened out the cheekbone which had become indented. McLoughlin, who is doing his army service in Bulawayo, will rest a few days, when he might be discharged.

Tuesday 31 December 1968

Roy McLoughlin, the Rhodesian fast bowler who underwent surgery in Port Elizabeth on Saturday after being struck on the cheek by a ball from Sibley McAdam, the Eastern Province pace bowler, will not play again this season.

Although the operation was a complete success, Mr Alwyn Pichanick, the Rhodesian manager and convenor of the Rhodesian selectors, said in Durban yesterday morning that he had advised McLoughlin not to play again this season. ``It is purely a precautionary measure,'' Mr Pichanick said.

McLoughlin left this morning for East London to recuperate at the home of his parents, Mr and Mrs S H McLoughlin.