Natal B cricket team in 1971–72

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

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]

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]

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]

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]