The season began with a visit by the Cavaliers, as the first leg of their brief tour of South Africa, under the captaincy of Richie Benaud. Tony Pithey, who had been appointed captain on the resignation of David Lewis, was plunged into the match immediately on his return from the South African tour of England, only to have his finger broken third ball by Fred Trueman on an unsatisfactory pitch. Thanks to a superb courageous century by Lewis, Rhodesia took a good first-innings lead, only to throw away the match with a disastrous second innings.

The Currie Cup had reverted to a single-section competition, an experiment that was not to be repeated, as the difference in strength between the provinces was still too evident. With Transvaal B now allowed to compete, this made a total of ten teams, but each played only six matches, a highly unsatisfactory state of affairs, as illustrated by the fact that Transvaal B finished higher in the table than their senior side. Rhodesia, finishing seventh, again failed to play to their potential, and in fact came close to losing to the Transvaal B team. Once again, it was largely the batting that was to blame. The batsmen performed against the weakest attacks, notably Griqualand West, bottom of the Currie Cup table with six outright defeats -- although even then Rhodesia fell behind on first innings -- but lacked confidence in more competitive situations.

Tony Pithey, usually opening the innings, formed a useful opening partnership with Ray Gripper as well as captaining the side, and it was unfortunate for the country that he was such a reluctant opener, as he was the best equipped technically to do so. He scored most runs, 418 at an average of 38.00. David Lewis (327 at 32.70) and Ian Haig (324 at 32.40) also scored over 300 runs. Colin Bland, finishing his university course, was available for only three matches, in which he scored 191 runs (average 47.75). But only in the second innings against Griqualand West did Rhodesia pass 250 in an innings.

(Friendly) At Police Ground, Salisbury; 17, 18, 19 September. RHODESIA 241 (R A Gripper 40, D J Lewis 107; J B Statham 5/41) and 52 (F S Trueman 3/30, J B Statham 3/13, R Benaud 3/2). CAVALIERS 155 (K F Barrington 31; G B Lawrence 4/45, J T Partridge 4/67) and 139/4 (R B Simpson 53*, K F Barrington 66). Cavaliers won by six wickets.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 19, 20, 21 September. NORTH-EASTERN TRANSVAAL 245 (J A Corbett 48, P L Corbett 83, K T M Saggers 30; V E J Dickinson 6/61) and 203 (H R Lance 93; G B Lawrence 3/52, R B Ullyett 6/42). RHODESIA 170 (R A Gripper 45, I E Haig 39; G E Steyn 5/47, J F Smidt 3/25) and 62/2. Match drawn, North-Eastern Transvaal leading on first innings.

At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo; 26, 27, 28 November. TRANSVAAL B 315/9 dec (G Stein 62, A Bacher 101, L R Harris 51; G B Lawrence 5/94) and 176/9 dec (G Stein 37, J H Baillie 37; V E J Dickinson 4/48). RHODESIA 212 (A J Pithey 50, R B Ullyett 46, I E Haig 44; B D Thorp 5/51) and 176/7 (R A Gripper 59, A J Pithey 36; G P Fairon 5/45). Match drawn, Transvaal B leading on first innings.

At Johannesburg; 24, 26, 27 December. RHODESIA 226 (D J Lewis 38, K C Bland 42; G S Bunyard 4/38, H J Tayfield 3/63) and 196 (A J Pithey 60, I E Haig 62, V E J Dickinson 30; K A Walter 6/45). TRANSVAAL 366/6 dec (G D Varnals 57, A Bacher 86, W R Endean 122, S J O'Linn 54; G B Lawrence 4/64) and 57/5 (G B Lawrence 4/26). Transvaal won by five wickets.

At Port Elizabeth; 31 December, 2, 3 January. EASTERN PROVINCE 239 (G F Dakin 35, R G Pollock 60, P H Copeland 50; G B Lawrence 3/32, V E J Dickinson 3/63) and 92 (G F Dakin 38; G B Lawrence 3/24, V E J Dickinson 7/22). RHODESIA 160 (A J Pithey 38, R B Ullyett 70; J G Ferrant 6/67, A H McKinnon 4/36) and 172/3 (A J Pithey 49, D J Lewis 39, D B Arnott 41*; A H McKinnon 3/73). Rhodesia won by seven wickets.

At Kimberley; 6, 7, 9 January. RHODESIA 152 (D J Lewis 39, G B Lawrence 40; B W Burrow 5/56, E C Engelsman 4/45) and 317/4 dec (A J Pithey 111, R A Gripper 45, K C Bland 130*; E C Engelsman 3/76). GRIQUALAND WEST 155 (C Tayfield 45, R van der Poll 44; G B Lawrence 3/49, D J Beets 4/34) and 97 (D J Beets 6/25). Rhodesia won by 217 runs.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 4, 5, 6 March. RHODESIA 155 (D J Lewis 72*; N A T Adcock 3/15) and 153 (I E Haig 54; J M Cole 4/46, R Dumbrill 3/35). NATAL 122 (R A McLean 38; J T Partridge 3/32, G B Lawrence 3/32) and 187/8 (C G Burger 87; G B Lawrence 3/43). Natal won by two 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 1961/62