Western Province cricket team in 1971–72

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]