1971–72 South African cricket season (chronological match reports)

"See also: 1971-72 South African cricket season"

Transvaal B v Orange Free State (29 October-1 November)

"Transvaal B (8pts) drew with Orange Free State (8pts)"

Transvaal B won the toss at the New Wanderers No. 1 Oval at Johannesburg and elected to bat, and they soon found themselves struggling on 127 for 8. They were then rescued by a partnership of 99 before tenth man Danzel Becker was out for 36, but the hero of the innings was Kevin McKenzie's who made 127, his maiden century, as Transvaal B totalled 228. Stuart Gardiner took 5 for 68 for Orange Free State. Orange Free State's reply was more steady, but they could only match their hosts 228. Transvaal B's second innings was much better, and James Breakley's 84 saw them to 308. However, they hadn't quite left themselves enough time, with Orange Free State finishing the match on 243 for 9, after being 201 for 8 one hour before the end, and so Transvaal B ended one tantalising wicket away from victory. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28677.html Scorecard]

Rhodesia v Transvaal (30 October-1 November)

"Transvaal (8pts) drew with Rhodesia (6pts)"

Rhodesia won the toss at the Police Ground in Salisbury (now Harare) and chose to field, a decision that proved to be a mistake with Lee Irvine's 120 and half-centuries from Brian Bath, Peter Carlstein and Peter de Vaal seeing Transvaal to a mammoth 392. Brian Barbour made 97 in the reply, the highest score by a Rhodesian on debut at the time. 5 for 52 from Brian Bath was not enough to stop Rhodesia posting 345, a deficit of 47. Ali Bacher made 83, and de Vaal another half-century before Bacher declared on 242 for 6, leaving the hosts to score 290 to win in 235 minutes. They weren't able to come close, and they ended up on 182 for 7, with Transvaal unable to clinch the victory. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28679.html Scorecard]

Natal v Eastern Province (5-8 November)

"Natal (8pts) drew with Eastern Province (2pts)"

Natal won the toss in Durban and chose to bat first. Scoring was slow and it took them 94.3 overs to reach 260 for 5 declared, with Barry Richards making 63 and Arthur Short 88. Vintcent van der Bijl then took 5 for 34 as East Province were dismissed for only 152. A much faster 202 with Richards, who was being sponsored by a local dairy company at 2 rand a run, making 104 left the visitors with 311 to win. They finished on 246 for 5 with Anthony Biggs's undefeated 105 and Graeme Pollock's 92 saving the game for the Province. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28683.html Scorecard]

Northern Transvaal v Griqualand West (5-8 November)

"Northern Transvaal (19pts) beat Griqualand West (5pts) by 130 runs"

Griqualand West won the toss and chose to field at Berea Park, Pretoria, but did not excel. A century from Tiger Lance in 165 minutes helped Northern Transvaal to 280 for 7 declared. The visitors were restricted to 220, before Northern Transvaal, this time aided by a century from Kenneth Burrow made 279 for 7 declared, leaving Griqualand West 340 to win. 6 for 55 from Lance saw the visitors crumble to 209 all out, a comfortable win and the 10 points that go with it for Northern Transvaal in their first Currie Cup match of the season. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28684.html Scorecard]

Orange Free State v Griqualand West (13 November)

"Orange Free State beat Griqualand West by 86 runs to progress to the Quarter-Finals of the Gillette Cup"

The second official Gillette Cup kicked off with the preliminary round between the Free State and Griqualand West at the Ramblers Cricket Club Ground in Bloemfontein. Peter Thompson made 97, and Petrus Strydom and Alan Andre made half-centuries as Orange Free State put together a formidable 322 for 7 in their 60 overs. Despite a 92 from Michael Doherty the total was always going to be too big for Griqualand West, who could muster only 236 for 4 in their 60. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/a/0/a618.html Scorecard]

Rhodesia v Eastern Province (13-15 November)

"Eastern Province (5pts) drew with Rhodesia (4pts)"

After the controversy surrounding Ray Gripper's decision to field on winning the toss in the last match, it was unsurprising that the Rhodesian captain chose to bat first when he won the toss at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. However, Rhodesia fared badly, posting only 166 all out in 72 overs and 270 minutes. After plummeting to 22 for 5 and to 55 for 6 at close on the first day, Eastern Province recovered to 165 for 9 declared. Surprisingly, two batting collapses on a good tracking for batting. However, rain, which caused 4 and a half of the 7 hours of scheduled play to be lost made a draw almost inevitable. Mike Procter's 84 and Brian Davison's 74 saw Rhodesia to 269 for 5 declared - thereby setting a victory target of 271. In their 38 overs, Eastern progressed to 152 for 5, buoyed by 100 from Anthony Biggs and the game petered out into a draw. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28687.html Scorecard]

Natal v Western Province (20 November)

"Natal beat Western Province on faster scoring rate to progress to the Semi-Finals of the Gillette Cup"

Western Province made a disappointingly low 155 for 9 in their 60 overs at Kingsmead in Durban, with Natal's Pelham Henwood taking 4 for 18 in his 12 overs. In reply, Barry Richards was going well at 43 not out, and Natal on 80 for 2 off 23.3 overs before rain prevented further play. That meant that rain rules had to come into play, and the rain rule for this competition was "Runs scored per wicket against at the time when rain stopped play". Western Province's runs per wicket figure after they had received 23.3 overs was lower than Natal's figure of 40 (80 runs per two wickets), so Natal progressed to the Semi-Final. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/a/0/a620.html Scorecard]

Northern Transvaal v Border (20 November)

"Northern Transvaal beat Border by 5 wickets to progress to the Semi-Finals of the Gillette Cup"

Border were dismissed cheaply for 145 in 55.2 overs at Berea Park, Pretoria with Jackie Botten taking 4 wickets and Tiger Lance and Johan van Rensburg each taking 3. Half-centuries from Denis Lindsay and Rodney Falkson saw Northern Transvaal home with five wickets and six overs to spare. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/a/0/a621.html Scorecard]

Transvaal v Rhodesia (20 November)

"Transvaal beat Rhodesia by 4 runs to progress to the Semi-Finals of the Gillette Cup"

Transvaal edged a tight game against Rhodesia at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. After Transvaal went in first, captain Ali Bacher made 56, however, any hopes they may have had for a big score were ruined when they went from 102 for 1 to 118 for 7. Clive Rice, with 28, provided a wag of the tail and they finally closed on 178 all out with 4.1 overs still left to bowl. Rhodesia lost wickets at regular intervals in reply, and at 157 for 8 they were second favourites. They recovered to 173 for 8, then lost the next two wickets for just one run to lose by four, with five balls left to bowl. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/a/0/a622.html Scorecard]

Northern Transvaal v Border (25-27 November)

"Border (6pts) drew with Northern Transvaal (2pts)"

Border won the toss at Berea Park, Pretoria and elected to bat. Opener Ian McClenaghan's 65 and number three batsman Bruce Long's first-class best of 93 helped the visitors to 260 for 9 in a perishingly slow 114.4 overs. Pat Pocock, the England Test bowler took 5 for 52. In Northern Transvaal's reply, Alan Ward's 6 for 44 and Christopher Davies's 4 for 76 saw Northern Transvaal dismissed for 180, a deficit of 80 by the end of the second day, and a thriller in sight. However, Border's 278 all out in 6 and a half hours on a good batting pitch did not leave enough time to win. Northern Transvaal were set a target of 359 in four hours. The game ended with Northern Transvaal on 136 for 3. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28690.html Scorecard]

Natal B v Griqualand West (26-29 November)

"Natal B (5pts) drew with Griqualand West (4pts)"

Natal B won the toss and chose to bat at Kingsmead, Durban. A first innings score of 280 for 5 declared came about with a century from Bruce Groves, followed by 238 for 6 from Griqualand West. Natal B piled on the runs quickly in their second innings, making 211 for 4 in just 46 overs, but delaying the declaration until Michael Madsen had made his century. This left Griqualand West to score 254 to win. After getting to 78 for 1, they then collapsed as Natal B captain Grayson Heath found the right bowling combination of Peter Lyons and Robert Ireland who took 4 wickets each as the visitors fell to 111 for 7 and then 146 for 8. Then Griqualand West held on with Graham Funston making 43 not out from number 10 to save the game: his team finishing on 178 for 8. The loss of 100 minutes for bad light on the second day thereby certainly denying Natal B victory. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28693.html Scorecard]

Western Province v Natal (26-29 November)

"Natal (7pts) drew with Western Province (4pts)"

A big 169 from Barry Richards, during which he was dropped three times, dominated this match, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory for Natal at Newlands in Cape Town in one of the most anticipated games of the season. After winning the toss Western Province made 256 for 7, with wicket-keeper Gavin Pfuhl topscoring with 78. It was then that Richards wove his magic, as Natal piled on 420, a lead of 166. This left them with having to dismiss Western Province cheaply if they were to record the win. A hundred from Andre Bruyns, who had good support, saw them to 263 for 3 declared and a comfortable draw. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28694.html Scorecard]

Eastern Province v Orange Free State (4 December)

"Eastern Province beat Orange Free State by 174 runs to progress to the Semi-Finals of the Gillette Cup"

Eastern Province comfortably secured the fourth berth in the semi-finals at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth. Batting first, Eastern Province made 312 for 9 in their 60 overs, with Graeme Pollock top scoring on 111. Orange Free State were never in it. The other Pollock brother, Pollock took 3 for 31 in his 12 overs as Orange Free State could only make 138 for 7 in reply. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/a/0/a624.html Scorecard]

Border v Orange Free State (10-13 December)

"Border (7pts) drew with Orange Free State (2pts)"

Border won the toss and elected to bat at Jan Smuts Ground, East London in a game that was to be severely restricted by the weather. Bruce Long and Charles Pope made half-centuries as Border put on 284 for 7 declared in 101 overs. Orange Free State could only muster 139 all out in 80.3 overs in reply, a deficit of 145. Border put on a quickfire 50 for 4 declared in 12 overs to attempt to force a win, but the game was drawn with rain putting an end to Orange Free State's chase at 125 for 5 off 41.2 overs, still needing 71 runs in 12 overs. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28699.html Scorecard]

Eastern Province v Transvaal (10-13 December)

"Eastern Province (7pts) drew with Transvaal (6pts)"

Transvaal won the toss at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth and chose to bat on a fast grassy wicket. They performed poorly, though, and were all out for 209 in 73.1 overs. Only Lee Irvine with 70 put up much resistance. Eastern Province matched that with 202 for 9 off 60.4 overs, with Donald Mackay-Coghill taking 4 for 62 and Graeme Pollock top-scoring with 49. Transvaal's second innings saw them recover from 148 for 8 to post yet another score in the low 200s, this time 216, with Ali Bacher making 80 and Keith Reid taking 4 for 34. This set Eastern Province a target of 224 in 280 minutes. They got close. After reaching 77 for 1 they lost wickets regularly, and they finished on 200 for 7 after 83 overs to secure a draw in a game that could have gone any of four ways. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28700.html Scorecard]

Transvaal B v Northern Transvaal (10-13 December)

"Transvaal B (6pts) drew with Northern Transvaal (5pts)"

Transvaal B won the toss at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg and chose to bat. They then proceeded to put on 333 all out in 121.5 overs, with Duncan Lindsay-Smith top-scoring on 87, but with only 225 scored off the first 85 overs they only secured 2 bonus points. Northern Transvaal countered with 229 for 9 declared off 80.4 overs, conceding a deficit of 104. On a pitch favouring the batsmen, Transvaal B then made the mistake of delaying the declaration too long, their 239 for 5 setting a target of 344 in 310 minutes. Northern Transvaal got as far as 194 for 4 when heavy rain and hail brought an end to the match with 2 hours to go. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28701.html Scorecard]

Western Province v South African Universities (10-13 December)

"Western Province beat South African Universities by 214 runs"

Western Province won the toss at Newlands, Cape Town and elected to bat. After falling to 19 for 2 they recovered to 289 for 9 declared. Then they demolished the Varsities for 94. The Province chose not to enforce the follow-on and put on 146 for 4 off 47 overs before declaring at the end of the second day. The Universities never looked like surviving the 7 hours or like scoring the 342 to win and were all out for 127. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28702.html Scorecard]

Eastern Province v Rhodesia (27-29 December)

"Eastern Province (9pts) drew with Rhodesia (3pts)"

Rhodesia won the toss and elected to field at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth only to watch Graeme Pollock take the bull by the horns by scoring 129 and help Eastern Province to 281 for 6 declared off 94 overs. In reply, Rhosdesia could only muster 196, conceding a lead of 85. The Province rushed along to 223 for 6 declared, thereby setting a target of 309. Rhodesia's captain, Ray Gripper, anchored the last innings. His 116 not out in 302 minutes secured the draw, as with no-one else able to give him support, the visitors just kept Eastern Province at bay, finishing on 205 for 7. After the match there was a bit of controversy as Gripper had refused to allow substitutes for the two Pollock brothers for the last half an hour of the match, leaving Eastern Province having to make do with nine fielders. Just before 5.30pm Gripper and Graeme Pollock had agreed to call it a draw after two more overs, but when another wicket fell, Pollock asked for the last half hour to be played. The Pollock brothers had to leave at 5.45pm to catch a flight to connect them with a flight to Australia to play in the World XI tour there. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28719.html Scorecard]

Natal B v Transvaal B (27-29 December)

"Transvaal B (18pts) beat Natal B (5pts) by 7 wickets"

Transvaal B achieved the first win of the season after winning the toss and putting Natal B into bat. This paid early dividends as Natal B lost half their batsmen for 68 before a rearguard fightback from Graham Dyer, Michael Smithyman and Marshall Riddell saw them to 248 all out. Transvaal B replied strongly, however, posting 348 all out. 4 wickets from Albert During helped dismiss Natal B for 283, which translated to a target of only 184, which Transvaal B got just before a thunderstorm came over the ground 58 minutes from time. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28720.html Scorecard]

Orange Free State v Northern Transvaal (27-29 December)

"Northern Transvaal (21pts) beat Orange Free State (2pts) by an innings and 39 runs"

Orange Free State won the toss and batted first on a docile wicket at Bloemfontein. They were soon in trouble at 0 for 3, and could only recover to 157 in 50.1 overs. Northern Transvaal piled on the runs in reply - Denis Lindsay (122), Darryl Bestall (97) and Tiger Lance (95) put the Free State to the sword before the declaration came at 483 for 6 off just 118.4 overs. Free State fought harder in their second innings, with Neil Rosendorff putting on 127, but it could only delay the inevitable as Free State were finally all out for 287 in 95.4 overs after only 87 minutes play on the last day. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28721.html Scorecard]

Transvaal v Natal (27-29 December)

"Transvaal (22pts) beat Natal (1pt) by 8 wickets"

Transvaal won the toss and batted in a game at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg that improved their Currie Cup position greatly. Ali Bacher (100), Peter Carlstein (154) and Lee Irvine (93) helped take the Trasvaal total to 403 for 6 declared in 109.5 overs. Natal were then dismissed cheaply for 133 off 38 overs, and forced to follow-on. Natal did better in the second innings with opener Barry Richards anchoring the innings with 134. They were finally all out for 320 off 118.1, with Norman Weightman taking 5 for 37. Transvaal knocked off the 51 runs required for victory in 14.1 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28722.html Scorecard]

Border v Transvaal B (1-4 January)

"Border (14pts) beat Transvaal B (7pts) by 141 runs"

At Jan Smuts Ground in East London, Border won the toss and batted first. Vivian Greve took 7 for 71 as Border were all out for 162 off 73.4 overs. Transvaal B countered with 231 all out off 90 overs, a lead of 69. Border's top order soon wiped the deficit off, with the second wicket only going down once 201 was on the board. Miles Harvey top-scored with 117, as Border's 304 all out set a target of 236 runs. Roy Taylor (7 for 45) and Alan Ward (3 for 42) then whittled through the Border batting for 94, Transvaal B's lowest score to date, in under two hours for a comfortable 141 victory. During the match Border's wicket-keeper Charles Pope's 9 catches set a new record for a South African. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28731.html Scorecard]

Griqualand West v Orange Free State (1-4 January)

"Orange Free State (2pts) drew with Griqualand West (1pts)"

Orange Free State won the toss at De Beers Stadium, Kimberley and batted first, making a painstakingly slow 236 for 9 off 115.1 overs. In reply, Griqualand West made 232 all out in 122.1 overs, with Free State's captain, Neil Rosendorff, taking 6 for 16. Roger Prideaux's 108 not out was the highlight of Free State's second innings, where 185 for 6 declared off 98 overs set a target of 190 runs, but after 11 overs, with the score at 25 for 1, stumps were drawn. Overall, the slow scoring obliterated any chance of a result other than a draw. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28732.html Scorecard]

Natal v Rhodesia (1-4 January)

"Natal (21pts) beat Rhodesia (2pts) by 10 wickets"

Rhodesia won the toss and batted first at Kingsmead, Durban. However, they were soon in trouble, being dismissed for only 111 off 55.5 overs. The stage was then set for Barry Richards, who made 219 before he was finally out caught and bowled by Duncan Fletcher. Mike Procter was the best of the bowlers with his 4 for 97, as Natal made 385 for 9 declared off 106 overs. Rhodesia did much better in their second innings, but their 317 all out off 133.3 overs set a target of only 44, which Natal knocked off without losing an innings. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28733.html Scorecard]

Northern Transvaal v Natal B (1-4 January)

"Northern Transvaal (17pts) beat Natal B (10pts) by 7 wickets"

After Natal B won the toss at Berea Park, Pretoria and elected to bat, Graham Dyer made an undefeated 122 out of a total of 364 all out off 115.4 overs. Northern Transvaal replied with 240 off 84.3 overs, thereby conceding a deficit of 124. Trying to force a win after rain delays, Natal B declared on 130 for 4 after 44 overs in their reply to set their hosts 255 in 49 overs. Northern Transvaal made their target in 46.4 overs for the loss off 3 wickets, with Denis Lindsay making 113 of them. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28734.html Scorecard]

Western Province v Transvaal (1-4 January)

"Western Province (13pts) beat Transvaal (2pts) by 4 wickets"

After winning the toss at Newlands, Cape Town, Transvaal made 273 all out off 119.2 overs, Brian Bath topscoring with 86. Western Province made 313 all out off 136.3 overs in reply. In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Transvaal's 238 for 8 declared off 80 overs left the Province 199 to win in 90 minutes plus 20 overs. The Province's captain, Andre Bruyn's anchored the innings, and survived two close run out calls in his undefeated 108 as Western Province defeated the Currie Cup holders with 4 wickets remaining. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28735.html Scorecard]

Western Province v Rhodesia (7-10 January)

"Rhodesia beat Western Province by 2 wickets"

When the Currie Cup schedule was being drawn up, Rhodesia were not originally scheduled to play in Cape Town, so this friendly was arranged. When the Cup was extended, however, this mean Rhodesia would play Western Province three times, twice in Cape Town. Andre Bruyn's won the toss and chose to bat, and topscored in the Province's innings with 108. However, as only Michael Bowditch, who made 85, was able to stay with him, the hosts only mustered 263 for 9 off 102 overs. Rhodesia's reply saw all of Ray Gripper, Brian Barbour and Duncan Fletcher fall before the score reached 30, but all the other players contributed well for Rhodesia's 326 - Mike Procter topscored with 62. The Province fared poorly in their second innings, collapsing to 87 for 7; Richard Morris then rescued the effort with his 75 that took the hosts to 180. Their bowlers then put Rhodesia under pressure, and Rhodesia were only able to scrape by at 118 for 8 to win by 2 wickets, with the Province's 10 missed catches costing them the match. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28741.html Scorecard]

Griqualand West v Border (13-15 January)

"Griqualand West (7pts) drew with Border (4pts)"

Heavy rain and a saturated wicket meant that the first day and the first hour of the second day were lost, and a draw a virtual certainty. Border won the toss at De Beers Stadium at Kimberley and made 177 off 89.5 overs in their first innings. Griqualand West got 269 in 92 overs in reply; Michael Doherty making 95 and Michael Harper taking 6 for 112. There was only time for Border to make 96 for 3 off 60 overs in reply before stumps were drawn. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28750.html Scorecard]

Natal v Western Province (14-17 January)

"Natal (15pts) beat Western Province (5pts) by 158 runs"

Natal won the toss in Pietermaritzburg, which was hosting its first first-class cricket game in 14 years, and chose to bat, a decision which soon looked like a mistake as they were dismissed for a paltry 76, with Peter Swart taking 5 for 24 and Robin Jackman 4 for 34, which included a hat-trick. Western Province fared slightly better, making a total of 121 all out, with Vintcent van der Bijl getting a return of 8 for 35. Natal's second innings was better: openers Barry Richards and Arthur Short put on 122 for the first wicket, which helped their team to 263. Peter Swart took 6 for 85. This left the Province a target of 219 in more than 5 hours on a damp pitch. Natal's bowlers, van der Bijl and Pelham Henwood then made short shrift of Western Province's batsmen, who capitulated for 60, leaving Natal with a big win to leave them top of the Currie Cup table. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28754.html Scorecard]

Orange Free State v Natal B (28-31 January)

"Orange Free State (6pts) drew with Natal B (5pts)"

Orange Free State batted first after winning the toss at Bloemfontein. Peter Strydom and Alan Andre put on 114 for the first wicket. Andre then went on to score his highest first-class total of 124. Roger Prideaux then made 130 as the Free State put on a mammoth 481 for 9 declared off 164 overs. Natal B made 310 all out off 92.2 overs and were asked to follow-on. 111 from Bruce Groves and half-centuries from Neil Hosken, Allister Hipkin and Gerald Katz saved the game as Natal B totalled 324 for 4 before stumps were drawn. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28779.html Scorecard]

Transvaal v Rhodesia (28-31 January)

"Rhodesia (20pts) beat Transvaal (3pts) by 9 wickets"

Rhodesia beat Transvaal for the first time in a Currie Cup match after Transvaal batted first at Johannesburg, but could only make 124 as Rhodesia's Mike Procter took 7 for 32. Procter then went on to topscore with 83 in Rhodesia's innings of 410, with Brian Barbour and Duncan Fletcher also making half-centuries. Transvaal's 315 then left a target of only 30, which Rhodesia knocked off for the loss of one wicket. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28780.html Scorecard]