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Rhodesian first-class cricket in 1969/70Captain: Ray GripperFew captains can have had a more unenviable job than Ray Gripper, called on to skipper a disintegrating team in the Currie Cup A Section when South Africa's all-round strength was at an all-time high. Colin Bland had left abruptly for Eastern Province, Tony Pithey had retired, and the promising young all-rounder Brian Davison was in England qualifying to play for Leicestershire. Apart from Jackie du Preez, who had a rather disappointing season, the only experienced players he had in his team were Tony de Caila, John McPhun and Eddie Parker, all of whom were dropped before the end of the season for lack of form. Under him, although it was not yet fully evident, was the nucleus of what would prove to be within five years Rhodesia's strongest all-round team. Stuart Robertson and John Traicos had recently established themselves in the side, while Howie Gardiner now found a permanent place as wicket-keeper and devastating batsman, when his confidence was high -- which was not this season. Several newcomers who would have long careers were Duncan Fletcher, Jimmy Mitchell, Tommy Dunk and Errol Laughlin, but none was an immediate success; Fletcher played two fine innings, but the other three took several years to establish themselves, and Laughlin never really did for Rhodesia. Interestingly, Fletcher at this stage was primarily an opening batsman but because of the needs of the team was required to develop his medium-fast bowling more; Mitchell was primarily a spin bowler but had to turn himself in future seasons into an opening batsman who bowled occasionally in order to gain a regular place in the team. Because of its youth and lack of confidence, the team generally showed little ability to fight back when in trouble. Rhodesia, rejected by the Australian government as a venue for matches against the Australian touring team for political reasons, lost all five first-class matches, three by an innings and the fourth heavily to Natal. Only the home match against Transvaal appeared to be close, but this was only because in a rain-interrupted match Transvaal lost wickets as they were forced to chase a difficult victory target. At the end of the season the South African Cricket Association probably had no hesitation in demoting Rhodesia once again to the B Section; but this was to prove unnecessary in the event, as the arrival of South African all-rounder Mike Procter for the following season revitalised the team and they would surely have made a success of the A Section had not the SACA been so hasty. However, they could do little else under the system they themselves had drawn up, after Rhodesia had finished two seasons in succession without gaining a point. Only the consistent Stuart Robertson of the regular players averaged over 25, as he scored 313 runs (average 31.30). The only other batsmen to score over 200 runs were Gripper (237 at 23.70) and Fletcher (207 at 20.70). The lack of a pace bowler of quality was perhaps the most serious handicap, although Huntsman Williams might have done better with proper support. The only bowlers to take ten or more wickets were the two spinners, who had to bear the brunt of the attack: Jackie du Preez (14 wickets at 33.79) and John Traicos (10 wickets at 56.10). Traicos was selected for three Tests against Australia, but there was the suspicion that he was preferred to du Preez because, with a tour to England anticipated in 1970, Traicos could travel on a Greek passport while du Preez had only a Rhodesian one, unacceptable in Britain during the UDI years. CURRIE CUP TABLE, 1969/70
P W L D Result FI
(8) (4) Points
Transvaal 4 1 - 3 - 3 20
Western Province 4 2 - 2 - 1 20
Natal 4 2 1 1 - - 16
Eastern Province 4 1 1 2 - - 8
RHODESIA 4 - 4 - - - 0
FI =3D First innings lead in match eventually drawn or lost.
At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo; 8, 9, 11 November. WESTERN PROVINCE 371/9 dec (K Tattersall 42, A Bruyns 149, C P Stephens 88; A J Traicos 4/103, J H du Preez 4/121). RHODESIA 139 (M J Procter 3/35) and 156 (R A Gripper 37, S D Robertson 41; M J Procter 4/18). Western Province won by an innings and 76 runs. At Police B Ground, Salisbury; 29, 30 November, 1 December. RHODESIA 221 (R A Gripper 73, T W Dunk 30; G L C Watson 3/42) and 213 (E T Laughlin 36, E F Parker 43, D A G Fletcher 49; J P D Flanagan 4/17). TRANSVAAL 334/7 dec (A Bacher 69, B F Bath 46, B L Irvine 40, J P D Flanagan 44, D Mackay-Coghill 52*; A J Traicos 3/113, J H du Preez 3/115) and 101/6 (N G Featherstone 37, H R Lance 30*; B H Williams 4/56). Transvaal won by four wickets. At Port Elizabeth; 26, 27, 29 December. RHODESIA 132 (R A Gripper 41; R V Taylor 4/10) and 249 (D A G Fletcher 89, J H Du Preez 33, H A B Gardiner 34, B H Williams 30; P M Pollock 4/55, A L Biggs 3/60). EASTERN PROVINCE 436/5 dec (A L Biggs 102, L M L Barnwell 30, S J Bezuidenhout 84, R G Pollock 138, A L Wilmot 49*). Eastern Province won by an innings and 55 runs. At Durban; 1, 2, 3 January. RHODESIA 183 (S D Robertson 62; D L Orchard 3/20, V A P van der Bijl 4/29) and 172 (K J Tonkin 32). NATAL 396/9 dec (B A Richards 169, A M Short 95, P H J Trimborn 45; J H du Preez 3/74, K J Tonkin 4/54). Natal won by an innings and 41 runs. At Police B Ground, Salisbury; 14, 15, 16 March. NATAL 324 (B A Richards 106, B Versfeld 69, D D Dyer 53; J C Mitchell 3/58) and 201/3 dec (B A Richards 69, A M Short 37, B Versfeld 53*, G A Katz 30*). RHODESIA 149 (S D Robertson 58, H A B Gardiner 36; T L Goddard 4/17) and 132 (S D Robertson 39; N S Crookes 3/36). Natal won by 244 runs. 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 1970/71 |
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