Despite the cancellation of the Currie Cup programme due to the presence of the New Zealand touring team, Rhodesian cricketers had a comparatively active year. Firstly, two first-class matches were played against the New Zealanders, and Rhodesia, batting a little better than usual, could claim to have had the better of these; in fact, they finished the first match just one wicket away from what would have been their first victory over a representative international touring team. The New Zealanders also played a two-day match at Que Que, where the Districts team led them on first innings.

Two friendly inter-provincial matches were arranged, against Natal and Transvaal. Although the lack of the official competitive label on these matches perhaps enabled the Rhodesians to play more freely than usual, it was their bowling rather than their batting which enabled them to do so. On a rain-affected pitch, the Rhodesian pace attack outbowled the Natal bowlers, which included Neil Adcock, and it proved a personal triumph for Joe Partridge, who took 14 cheap wickets in the match. Lawrence and Partridge again starred in bowling Transvaal out for 79, but the batting was not strong enough to ensure victory.

Finally, three first-class matches were played against a Commonwealth XI, captained by Everton Weekes, and Rhodesia put up a good performance against them, despite losing the second match. For the third match, Rhodesia strengthened their team with Jackie McGlew and Denis Lindsay from South Africa, and also recalled Percy Mansell and Paul Winslow; this may have helped their confidence in gaining a fine victory.

Colin Bland, in by far his most successful season to date, scored 512 runs for Rhodesian teams, averaging 51.20. He also played his first five Tests against New Zealand, although he made more impression as a fielder than with the bat. Tony Pithey, although not playing in the Tests, also did well, with 398 runs (average 33.16), while Ray Gripper also scored over 300 runs, with 311 at 23.92.

Godfrey Lawrence had another fine season, taking 23 wickets for Rhodesia at an average of 16.52. He was at last recognised by the South African Test selectors and played throughout the series against New Zealand, taking 28 wickets in what was to be his only series. However, for Rhodesia he was overshadowed by Joe Partridge, who had to wait still longer for Test recognition; in seven matches Partridge took no fewer than 53 wickets at only 13.98 each.

Geoff Griffin, the controversial South African pace bowler, played the first of two seasons in Rhodesia, but did not make much impression. Jackie du Preez began his long career in the Rhodesian team.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 28, 29, 30 October. RHODESIA 189 (K C Bland 67, I E Haig 37; F J Cameron 3/42, J C Alabaster 4/71) and 255/8 dec (A J Pithey 66, R A Gripper 54, D J Lewis 40*, K C Bland 58; J C Alabaster 4/80). NEW ZEALANDERS 186 (J W Guy 54; G B Lawrence 5/32) and 27/0. Match drawn.

At Police Ground, Salisbury; 25, 26, 27 November. NATAL 158 (B Versfeld 53, M K Elgie 66; J T Partridge 8/69) and 85 (M K Elgie 47; J T Partridge 6/32, G B Lawrence 4/38). RHODESIA 133 (G M Griffin 40; N A T Adcock 4/51, J M Cole 3/24) and 113/2 (A J Pithey 34*). Rhodesia won by eight wickets.

At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo; 2, 3, 4 December. RHODESIA 134 (R B Ullyett 46; H J Tayfield 5/39) and 125 (D J Lewis 30, K C Bland 44; K A Walter 4/38, H R Lance 4/26). TRANSVAAL 79 (I R Fullerton 30; J T Partridge 4/46, G B Lawrence 6/19) and 182/5 (I R Fullerton 71, P R Carlstein 44). Transvaal won by five wickets.

At Ek Park, Kitwe (Northern Rhodesia); 17, 18, 19 February. COMMONWEALTH XI 234 (T W Graveney 112*, B L D'Oliveira 51; J T Partridge 5/52) and 123/3 (T W Graveney 52*). RHODESIAN XI 247/7 dec (A J Pithey 115, I E Haig 43; S P Gupte 3/77). Match drawn.

At the Showground, Bulawayo; 24, 25, 26 February. RHODESIA 287 (R A Gripper 30, A J Pithey 31, R B Ullyett 59, K C Bland 60, I E Haig 47; N Gifford 3/77) and 210/8 dec (K C Bland 34, I E Haig 44, G B Lawrence 32, A M H de Caila 31*; N Gifford 3/72). COMMONWEALTH XI 305 (Hanif Mohammad 50, C C McDonald 70, T W Graveney 52, R E Marshall 59; J T Partridge 4/54, J H du Preez 4/97) and 196/4 (Hanif Mohammad 86, C C McDonald 38; J T Partridge 3/69). Commonwealth XI won by six wickets.

At Police Grounds, Salisbury; 3, 4, 5 March. COMMONWEALTH XI 294 (C C McDonald 82, E D Weekes 48, R R Lindwall 43, J D F Larter 30; J T Partridge 3/71) and 154 (Hanif Mohammad 35, T W Graveney 70; J T Partridge 5/42, P N F Mansell 3/41). INVITATION XI 232 (R A Gripper 67, D T Lindsay 48; Saeed Ahmed 6/32) and 217/5 (R A Gripper 35, D T Lindsay 84, K C Bland 41*; S Ramadhin 3/52). Rhodesian Invitation XI won by five 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 1962/63