Ian William Robertson

Fanatical dedication, fierce determination and a brilliant natural talent have established Ian William Robertson as one of the most successful international sportsmen this country has produced.

His uncompromising search for perfection in the rugged arena of Rugby Union often plunged him into bitter controversy. At times he was justifiably ranked among the 'Superbrats' of international sport. On other occasions he was a humble, self-effacing man who would sacrifice anything for team and country.

Above all he had a 'professional' approach in one of the toughest amateur sports in the world.

His international career has come to an end - painfully halted under a bone- jarring tackle playing for Zimbabwe Rhodesia against Transvaal at Salisbury in 1979 The injury has proved critical to his international career and with his broken wrist still not wholly mended, it seems unlikely that Robertson will play first-class rugby again.

Another factor persuaded him to retire.

After having played in five internationals for South Africa against France and New Zealand, playing Test rugby is no longer the most important thing in his life.

"The most important day of my life was when 1 married my wife Sonia .. . and the next most important days of my life were the births of our two sons Brendon and Gareth. Playing rugby at international level is now therefore the fourth most important thing to have happened to me," he said.

Robertson's first-class career started when he was a precocious nineteen- year-old in his first year after finishing his schooling at Prince Edward School at Salisbury. In his first senior season he quickly established himself as a regular member of Old Hararians First XV and earned a reputation as being a super-cool full back in a team that was later to develop into one of the strongest club sides in Southern Africa.

Under the expert guidance of team-mate Brian Murphy, who is regarded by Robertson as one of the greatest players and thinkers in the game, the flame- haired teenager made his Rhodesian debut in that 1969 season — against South West Africa.

He came into the side to replace regular full back Chuck Sawyer, who had to withdraw because of illness. The critics of the day described his debut as a quiet, efficient game stamped with class. He went on to play two further matches during the season.

This ice-cool approach developed into full-blooded brilliance during the next season (1970) when he played five games for Rhodesia, including an international against the touring All Blacks at Salisbury.

After three matches in 1971, Robertson ran foul of the rugby authorities in Rhodesia and became disillusioned about his future in a country that appeared to be completely isolated from world-class competition. He believed that to fulfil his boyhood dream and lifelong ambition of playing for the Springboks, he would have to move to South Africa. He took the plunge and emigrated to Johannesburg where he played for Transvaal B. During that year — on 2 June — he was married to Sonia (née Chick) and was home in time for the start of the 1973 season.

"I gambled on getting a lucky break. The gamble did not come off and I came back to Rhodesia. The experience was tremendous though," he said of his move.

During the 1973 season Robertson was to play a vital part in a season still regarded as one of the best in the country's rugby history. Under the captaincy of wiry scrum-half Des Christian, the Rhodesians played ten matches — six Currie Cup, three friendlies and an international against Italy.

During that season, Robertson was one of only three men who played all ten matches. The others were Christian and front row iron man, Dick Coleshaw.

The national side was in its third season of the Ian McIntosh era in which the dynamic Matabele had carefully cultivated an exciting brand of open, running rugby based on Welsh influences. Robertson was a vital cog in that pattern as a full back with devastating aggression and flair in attack.

For the first six matches of the season he stuck to full back with the selectors battling for the right half-back combination by using first Mike Swanson and then Terry Bowes at fly-half.

Against Eastern Province at Salisbury, Robertson was brought into the side at pivot in place of Bowes and immediately stamped his class and authority on the position — an undeniable versatility which was later to earn him Springbok colours as a centre in three internationals.

That 1973 season saw the Rhodesian side through to the Currie Cup semifinal against Northern Transvaal at Pretoria with Robertson gathering 81 points in the year from 3 tries, 10 penalties, 15 conversions and 3 dropped goals.

The next season he reverted to full back, partly due to his own preference in preparing for a crack at forcing his way into the Springbok Test team to take on the mighty British Lions under Willie-John McBride.

The season started well with Rhodesia putting up a brave show in going down to Free State in a friendly, and Robertson snatching victory from defeat with a brilliant solo effort in the dying minutes of the game against Lancashire. From well inside his own half he engineered a move that he himself rounded off with a try under the posts and a conversion for a breathtaking 21-20 win against the powerful British touring county that included the 1980 Lions captain, Billy Beaumont

The season lacked the same glamour and glory as 1973 and Robertson was shamefully overlooked for a berth in the South African side for the Lions series. He missed the last match of the season with a badly sprained ankle.

His only consolation had been in the previous season when he played for the South African XV on the internal tour and for the South African Barbarians against Free State.

He had been invited to the Springbok training-camp before the Lions tour but had subsequently been ignored.

Compensation was to come later that year when Robertson became the first Rhodesian since Andy Macdonald to be chosen for South Africa. His place in the short tour to France was as a reserve full back but he made his Springbok debut in Lyons at centre and scored a try. He went on to play both Tests as a match-winning foil to the powerful Johan Oosthuizen, and was the top try-scorer on tour.

"I was lucky. I was in the right tour at the right time and got my chance," he said of his success.

The next season was to prove an unhappy one. Robertson, in a typical outburst of scorn and contempt for anything less than the perfection he always strove for. again fell foul of rugby authorities in Rhodesia, and at the start of the season was suspended for four weeks. He missed the opening match — a compulsory friendly against South Eastern Transvaal at Witbank in which Rhodesia crashed 10-21 to the lowly country side — and then, in keeping with his Springbok reputation, was brought in for the next match at centre. A badly twisted ankle in the second half of this game against Public School Wanderers ended his season for Rhodesia.

In June 1974, he announced that he was leaving Rhodesia to settle in Cape Town.

"I was first approached with job offers when I travelled to France with the Springboks ... now that I have had time to settle down after the tour I have had more time to think about it I have been made a very attractive offer from Cape Town that I would be silly to turn down."

Robertson admitted that he had been influenced in his decision to move to the Cape after his recent clash with the authorities.

He left with a broadside at Rhodesian rugby.

"Something is missing in Rhodesian rugby at the moment. I know players who have lost their pride in wearing their Rhodesian colours," he said.

In some respects, Robertson's criticism was justified. After the euphoria of the 1973 season, the side had slipped during 1974. and during 1975 the Rhodesians managed only two victories in eleven matches — both against Boland with the final match being a game to avoid relegation from the A Section of the Currie Cup.

In Cape Town Robertson played for the mighty Villagers and in August 1975 made his debut for Western Province at full back against Eastern Province. His second spell in South Africa matured the man and the player.

When he returned to Rhodesia at the beginning of 1976, once again he became an automatic first choice for the national side. A hamstring injury prevented his return debut in the first match and he suffered several set-backs during the rest of the season as the result of illness and injury. But 1976 was to be Robertson's greatest.

He became the first Rhodesian since Ronnie Hill in 1963. to be selected for the Springboks for a home series against an international touring side. He was chosen at centre for the Test against Andy Leslie's All Blacks at Durban but was switched to full back when Dawie Snyman was forced to withdraw at the last minute. Robertson's home international debut was a dream — he turned in a rock-solid display in defence and was prominent in several raking attacks that steered South Africa to a convincing 16-7 victory. He rounded off this performance with a magnificent long-range drop goal to complete the Springbok tally.

In a shock move for the second Test Robertson was switched to the centre and even more surprising, after a creditable performance, he was relegated to the substitutes' bench for the third Test at Newlands.

The reshuffle by the South African selectors was slated by the rugby-crazy public and the Press. Andy Leslie was prompted to comment: "I consider Ian Robertson to be South Africa's best back."

Jonty Winch, in his book, Rhodesia Rugby — a history of the national side 1898-1979 wrote:

A delighted Robertson was brought back (for the fourth Test at Ellis Park) and Mike Shafto commented from Johannesburg: "Better late than never goes the saying. And it's one that aptly describes the Springbok rugby selectors' welcome choice of Rhodesia's full back ahead of Dawie
Snyman for the fourth and final Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park". Robertson added that he was particularly pleased to be at full back because it was the position to which he was accustomed but he must have been even happier in the knowledge that he was at last regarded as South Africa's first choice in that position.

At the end of the series, Robertson and Rhodesian colleague 'Spike' McKenna, were invited to play for a World XV against Cardiff in the famous club's centenary match at the National Stadium before a fantastic Welsh crowd of 25 000. For Robertson it was a significant indication of his high rating in the rugby world and a just reward for his supreme dedication to the game. Before leaving to play for the World XV, Robertson intimated what sacrifices have to be made in order to reach the top in a demanding sport such as rugby:

"Since 1969 I have trained as hard as I think is possible in trying to achieve my ambitions. I have trained through every off season ... I can honestly say that I haven't missed ten days of training in all that time and I've never taken a holiday. I was determined to succeed."

Robertson at full back was immaculate in all he did and was a tremendous credit to Rhodesia. Eminent critics raved over his play while J. B. G. Thomas rated him as the second best full back in the world after the great J. P. R. Williams Thomas went on to say: "Ian Robertson played the game of his life. His catching in the rain with a slippery ball was superb, and his running in attack showed just what a South African does with encouragement."

The renowned Sunday Times of London, rugby specialist, Vivian Jenkins wrote: "Robertson was an outstanding success, drawing volumes of cheers from the crowd. He showed by his superlative fielding of the wet ball and splendid attacking runs, with swerves and dummies interlaced, why it is that South Africa play him at full back or centre, with equal facility."
Robertson went on that season to captain Rhodesia on two occasions — for the first time against Eastern Transvaal at Salisbury after Murphy had announced his retirement and replacement skipper Colin Blythe-Wood had been forced to withdraw due to injury. It was something of a nightmare in which Rhodesia scrambled to an 18-13 victory to move out of danger of relegation. But for Robertson it was a stirring and proud moment as he reached so desperately close to faultless perfection in a game that he completely dominated as an individual. He finished the season by captaining the side to a narrow but thrilling defeat at the hands of Western Province at Bulawayo.

Robertson started the 1977 season in blistering form. As a guest of the New Zealand Rugby Union he played two matches in that country — an invitation which had been extended to him after the fourth Test at Johannesburg in 1976. In distinguished company he played well and in the second match of that brief visit he scored five penalties. He cut short his visit to join Old Hararians on a club tour to Cape Town only to come back to Salisbury and announce that he was to retire from the game.

"It's time that I repaid some loyalty and compliments to my wife and family. She has given up so much for me and my sport. I really can't say enough about how important Sonia's support has been to me. We've rarely gone out at nights because getting the right amount of sleep has been important to me and she has never complained . . . she is the greatest."

Robertson also spelled out how his career and livelihood had suffered through his total dedication to the game. However, under considerable pressure from the national selectors he agreed to play for Rhodesia in the Currie Cup match against Free State — a game in which he kicked a penalty, a conversion and a drop goal. After that match he stuck to his guns to concentrate on his career and devote more time to his family. Former All Black, Allan Sutherland led the national side through a dynamic campaign in which results were mixed but satisfying.

After the first few games of 1978, Robertson came back into the game to take over as fly-half and by the end of the season had done enough to prove beyond doubt that he was the best fly-half in Southern Africa.

And so to the 1979 season, those first six games and that career-shattering injury against Transvaal.

During his career Robertson was capped 56 times for Rhodesia; he holds the record for the greatest number of points in a season (120) and the most points gained in a game (30 points against South Western districts in a Currie Cup match at Bulawayo in 1974). His career total of 437 points from 12 tries, 60 penalties, 21 drop goals, and 73 conversions is more than 130 points better than the next man — Terry Bowes (304).

Robertson played 12 games for South Africa — 5 of them Tests. He played 8 games for the Junior Springboks, 4 matches in the South African XV, twice for the South African Barbarians, once for a combined Quaggas/Barbarians team and once for the Quaggas side. He played first-class invitation matches in Cardiff and in New Zealand. He was also capped for Western Province.

Robertson was born at Salisbury on 28 April 1950. At Prince Edward School he played in the First XV for two years and in the Craven Week side in 1968. He made his Mashonaland debut at the 1969 tournament

His club-playing career has been largely dedicated to Old Hararians with brief spells at Johannesburg and Cape Town.

- STREAK.

End

Comments are always welcome, please enter them below or post them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com  and I will load them on your behalf.

To view the Blog Home Page - Please Click Here.
(Please visit our previous posts and archives)

John Harcourt (Jackie) du Preez

At the age of seven he began bowling natural leg-spinners in a dusty Glendale farmyard. At the age of thirty-six, in September 1979, Jackie du Preez became the first Zimbabwean (formerly Rhodesian) to be granted an official benefit match.

 That the Zimbabwe Cricket Union awarded him such a benefit was a fitting tribute to outstanding loyalty in a first-class career which spanned nineteen seasons and brought many notable deeds and records his way, including becoming the first specialist leg-spinner to play for the Springboks since the days of Ian Smith (1947-58) and Percy Mansell (1951-55).

 That so many world-class players — including Graeme Pollock, Mike Procter, Vince van der Bijl and Denis Lindsay — readily rallied to his benefit cause underscored Jackie's immense popularity with colleagues and opponents alike. His demeanour and sportsmanship were never questioned in his long career and he always met both triumph and disaster on the field in his typically nonchalant way. He always had the same sprightly walk (which earned him the nickname 'Jaunty') and the unflappable temperament that was the secret of much of his success. He always played his cricket with a sense of purpose, adventure and enjoyment which endeared him to spectators everywhere.

 The only player to reach 100 first-class caps (up to the end of 1979-80) for the country, he is also one of a select band to have achieved the coveted double of 2 000 runs and 100 wickets in Southern African cricket. He played in 113 first- class matches for Rhodesia between his debut in 1961, shortly before his nineteenth birthday, against John Reid's New Zealanders and the Currie Cup match against Transvaal at Bulawayo in November 1979, just six days before his thirty-seventh birthday.

 He had scored 3 994 runs, just six runs short of becoming the fourth in the country to amass 4 000 runs in company with Brian Davison, Stuart Robertson and Ray Gripper. Du Preez scored one century 20 half-centuries, held 71 catches and claimed 279 wickets — third on the all-time list for the country, just a shade behind 'Goofy' Lawrences record 296 and Joe Partridges 281. He took five
 wickets in an innings on ten occasions.

 Repeatedly one of the outstanding all-rounders in Currie Cup competition, Du Preez earned a ranking second only to Percy Mansell in this regard in Rhodesian first-class cricket history. A large part of his charisma and success was his unflinching courage when facing adversity — so often he would be the saviour when all seemed lost.

 End of 95

 Born at Salisbury on 14 November 1942, John Harcourt (Jackie ) du Preez was introduced to the game at Highlands Junior School, where he was initially coached by former Springbok, Chris Duckworth, and later by the Sussex professional, Jim Cornford.

 "I remember when I started trying to bowl as fast as I could," recalls Jackie. "Every kid was trying to be a fast bowler in those days and it wasn't until Duckworth noticed that every ball was a leg-break, that I started spin-bowling."

 At the age of twelve he was in the school 1st XI and at fourteen he made his first national appearance in the Rhodesian junior team, the Fawns. Before graduating to Prince Edward School, Salisbury, he had acquired a reputation as a leg-spinner and batsman of note, with a handful of junior school centuries to his credit. In his final year at school he placed both feet on the lower rung of the ladder to fame and gained selection for the Rhodesian Nuffield XI, attending the same Nuffield Week as Graeme Pollock at Port Elizabeth in 1961. The two men have since remained firm friends and Jackie and his wife Lorraine named their first son —who also excelled as a sportsman at Highlands — Graeme.

 In his first year out of school, Jackie's enormous natural ability and potential were recognised and he was thrown in at the deep end for his first-class debut against New Zealand at the Queens Ground at Bulawayo in October 1961. The youngster batted at number 10 in a team that read: A. Pithey, R. Gripper, D. Arnott, D. Lewis, C. Bland, I. Haig, R. Robertson, V. Dickinson, G. Griffin, J. du Preez and
 J. Partridge.

 Rhodesia put up a splendid performance, reaching 311-8 on the first day (Bland 91) while fine bowling by Partridge and Griffin, who each took four wickets, saw the tourists dismissed for 262.

 Rhodesia scored 197-5 declared, in their second innings, setting the Kiwis a target of 246 in 195 minutes. To their credit the challenge was accepted, but falling wickets eventually saw them holding on desperately for a draw, with their last pair at the wicket and only 162 runs on the board. After bowling 3 overs for 23 runs in the first innings, Du Preez was rewarded with his first first-class wickets in this second innings, taking 2-42 in 13 overs. Rhodesia had come close to winning for the first time against an official international team.

 The second match against New Zealand was played at Salisbury, but unfortunately rain ruined a game that held the promise of another exciting finish. Set four hours to get 259, the tourists were at 27 without loss when rain prevented any further play.

 In 1962 and 1963 Ron Roberts brought out a Commonwealth XI and for the first time non-European players were seen in Rhodesia, including great stars such as Hanif Mahommed, Everton Weekes, Chandra Borde, Sonny Ramadhin, Wes Hall, Rohan Kanhai and Basil d'Oliveira. This meant Du Preez was fortunate enough to gain a wealth of experience against many of the world's best cricketers in his early years. And he showed up well.

 The diminutive Rhodesian spinner took 4-97 and 3-71 at Salisbury, Tom Graveney and d'Oliveira being among his victims.

 Richie Benaud's Cavaliers came on tour in 1963 and faced Rhodesia at Salisbury. Norman O'Neill of Australia was at his rampant best, scoring 96 and 136. Du Preez bowled only nine overs in this match. Ray Gripper (111) and Tony Pithey (141) batted superbly to see Rhodesia safely to a draw.

 Du Preez was, however, continuing to be close to cricketing greatness and he was absorbing the experience and gaining inspiration and confidence. Chosen to play for a South African Invitation XI against the Cavaliers, he got a further taste of big-time cricket, taking 1-42 in the first innings and 2-70 in the second, dismissing both openers, John Edrich for 72 and Phil Sharpe, whom he caught and bowled, for 47. Although Trevor Goddard got 122 for the South Africans, the Cavaliers won by six wickets with some exhilarating batting by O'Neill (158 not out) in the first innings. In the season 1962-63 Du Preez played nine matches, taking 27 wickets at an average of 22,0.

 The season 1966-67 was to be the most momentous in Du Preez's career. He staked his claim for Test recognition against Bobby Simpson's Australians at Salisbury when, in the opening innings of their Southern African tour, he captured six wickets in succession to return an analysis of 6-95 in 32 overs, his 'scalps' including Ian Chappell for a 'duck' and Keith Stackpole. At one stage his analysis  read 6-33. It was in this match that towering wicket-keeper Howie Gardiner made a big name for himself with a rampaging innings of 81, including six sixes and seven fours. However, the Aussies could not be contained and they won by eight wickets with a day to spare, though Du Preez also caught and bowled Redpath in the second innings. Gardiner had, in a non-first-class two-day warm-up match for the Aussies at Bulawayo against a Matabeleland XI, also hit 86 in 58 minutes with five gigantic sixes, for a total of eleven sixes in two innings against the tourists.

 During the season, Du Preez also took 6-128 against Natal, fighting a lone battle in vain as Natal stormed to victory by an innings and six runs, Mike Procter being their main strikeforce with 7-25 in 20 overs. But Du Preez proved his all- round ability by top scoring for Rhodesia in each innings — 28 and 76 not out when he valiantly defied Procter.

 Against Eastern Province at Port Elizabeth in December 1966 he also notched his maiden — and only — first-class century against a formidable attack that included Peter Pollock and Gordon Den. Rhodesia's batting was a two-man effort, Du Preez (112 with 16 fours and a six) and Tony Pithey (93) contributing a record Rhodesian fourth wicket partnership of 210 that was still intact at the close of the 1979-80 season. Du Preez gave Pithey an hour's start and when he reached his century his captain was on 75. In the second innings Du Preez again dominated the bowling and played a lone hand, scoring 70. In a thrilling finish, Easterns scraped home by one wicket on the first innings.

 That season, Du Preez topped the Rhodesian batting averages, scoring 394 runs in seven matches at 35,81 each. His 24 wickets were also easily the most by a Rhodesian bowler and came at a cost of 28,16. His magnificent achievements brought rich rewards — he won his Springbok cap for two Tests against Simpson's Australians, was named one of South Africa's Five Cricketers of the Year and was
 honoured by Rhodesia as the nation's Sportsman of the Year by the award of the John Hopley Trophy.

 He made his Test debut in the fourth match of the series at the Wanderers from 3-8 February 1967 and was included at the expense of David Pithey. The twenty-four-year-old Du Preez was the ninth Rhodesian to win Springbok colours, following Dennis Tomlinson, Percy Mansell, Chris Duckworth, Colin Bland, Godfrey Lawrence, Joe Partridge, Tony Pithey and David Pithey.

 Scenting a possible South African victory, a 20 000 crowd watched the fifth and final day at the Wanderers with Australia having to survive a full day at the crease for the draw. In only his second over in Test cricket, and with the last ball before lunch, Du Preez deceived Bob Cowper to bowl him for 16 and claim his first Test wicket — he has kept the stump the ball hit. He also dismissed Stackpole, caught by Goddard for five, but rain came and saved the Aussies from certain defeat. Du Preez, who did not bowl in the first innings, recorded figures of 14-6-22-2. However, batting ahead of Procter, he failed to score in his debut innings.

 South Africa won the fifth and final Test at Port Elizabeth by seven wickets to wrap up the series 3-1, Du Preez requiring only two overs in the first innings to take Graham McKenzie's wicket without conceding a run, and eight overs in the second innings for 29 runs. Again he failed to score and so has the dubious distinction of never having scored a Test run, though he only batted twice. His three Test wickets cost 51 runs at 17,00.

 "1 think the moment I remember most off the field," recalls Du Preez, "was in the plane travelling from Durban to Salisbury after I had been twelfth man in the third Test against the Aussies. I didn't expect to make the Springbok final team and was quite ready to go back to my farm. Lindsay Tuckett, one of the selectors, was on the flight with me. At Johannesburg, when he was about to disembark, I went over to say goodbye before travelling on to Salisbury. He just smiled and said: 'See you next week at the Wanderers'... I knew I was in the Bok side."

 Du Preez completed the first-class double of 1 000 runs and 100 wickets in 1967-68 when he was again Rhodesia's highest wicket-taker with 28 at 23,75, three times claiming five wickets in an innings. Against Transvaal B at Salisbury he claimed 11-132 with a career best of 8-92 in the second innings after he had scored 72, to add to Peter Carlstein's 93, to lead Rhodesia to victory by 39 runs.

 The next month Du Preez spun out Griqualand West with a first innings analysis of 28-12-74-6 when Rhodesia won by nine wickets at Bulawayo. He also participated in one of Rhodesia's most memorable matches against Free State at Bloemfontein early in 1968, when three batsmen mutilated the record books. Rhodesia won by an innings and 62 runs, losing only one wicket in the entire match while Free State were dismissed for 252 and 235, Rhodesia piling up a massive 549-1 declared. Ray Gripper's 279 not out was a new Currie Cup record, eclipsing Eric Rowan's 277 not out for Transvaal against Griquas in 1950-51. He batted for 6½ hours to establish a Rhodesian record first-wicket partnership of 268 with Jono Clarke (130) and an all-wicket record for the country with Rob Ullyett (126 not out), amassing 281 in an unfinished stand.

 Du Preez had developed into a fine attacking batsman and as a spinner was the best at his craft in Southern Africa. In 1968-69 he was unluckily run out for 91 against Transvaal at the Wanderers (Rhodesia lost by 10 wickets), took 4-104 in 37,1 overs, took 6-149 against Natal at Salisbury (including Barry Richards and Mike Procter), scored 89 in the abandoned match against Transvaal at Salisbury and finished the season with 19 wickets and 364 runs.

 Although 1973-74 was a poor season for Rhodesia, who finished bottom of the A Section Currie Cup table, Du Preez stood out, especially with the bat. In eleven matches he scored 582 runs at an average of 32,33 and with five half- centuries. But a second first-class century continued to elude him and at the Wanderers against Transvaal he became the only man in Currie Cup history to be run out for 99, after striking 14 delightful fours and facing 126 balls in a merry innings. However, as an all-rounder for the season he was behind only Eddie Barlow and Procter and was deservedly chosen for the South African Invitation XI to play Brian Close's Derrick Robins XI at Newlands. In the first real test of strength for South African cricket since the 1970 Australians, the home team was, E. Barlow (capt.), B. Richards, H. Ackerman, G. Pollock, L Irvine, M. Procter, D. Biggs, J. du Preez, A. Smith, P. Swart and V. van der Bijl. The batsmen were in command in this draw, Du Preez taking 1-22 in 12 overs and playing in the second match against the Robins side at Durban, another draw. The South African XI piled up 454, with Richards scoring 180.

 In the Salisbury match against Western Province in 1974-75 Du Preez skittled out the visitors with 6-102 in a match which was won by Rhodesia by 113 runs, when Howie Gardiner was out for 99. Du Preez reached the magical milestone of 100 caps for Rhodesia in 1975-76 against Natal at Durban.

 From the mid-1970s, 'Jaunty Jackie's' cricketing career was in decline as he was paying more attention to his farm at Melfort, near Salisbury, and could no longer afford to devote the hours of practice so necessary to stay at the top. Most fittingly, however, he took part in his country's greatest cricket triumph when Rhodesia won the inaugural one-day knockout Datsun Shield (the successor to the Gillette Cup) in 1977-78 at the Wanderers, beating Eastern Province in the final. And he contributed significantly to that success by bowling maestro Graeme Pollock for only 36 before he could tear apart the attack, as he was threatening to do.

 In 1978-79 he played only two games for Rhodesia before being somewhat harshly axed, especially after a heroic match-saving 75 not out on a sticky wicket against Van der Bijl's Natalians at Bulawayo. In 1979-80 he appeared with little distinction in the opening three matches.

 He had played in 91 Currie Cup games, a record for Zimbabwe, bettered only by Lorrie Wilmot, who played in just under 100, and Graeme Pollock who played in 92, both for Eastern Province.

 As a fitting end to this chapter, here are the words of Rhodesia's finest captain, David Lewis, under whose direction Du Preez performed during his first years playing for the country. "Jackie will always be remembered for his entirely relaxed, honest and happy approach to the game. This endeared him to spectators and he became one of our most popular cricketers.

 "I think the aspect of his play that will live with me longest is his absolutely incredible ability as a catcher behind the wicket. His capacity for anticipation and holding the impossible catch was something to be remembered — and it was done with consummate ease. A very talented and remarkable cricketer, he has made a most worthwhile contribution to the game in this country."

CAREER FIGURES

FOR RHODESIA
BATTING
1961-1980
Matches:  113
Innings:  186
Not Out:  24
Runs:  3 994
Highest Score:  112
Average:  24,65
100:  1
50: 19

BOWLING
1961-80
Balls:  16,960
Maidens:  607
Wickets:  279
Average:  3,47
5WI: 10
10WM: 1
BBI:  8-92

RHODESIA FIRST-CLASS CRICKET RECORDS
UP TO END OF SEASON 1979-80

Players making 50 or more appearances:   
J. H. du Preez:  113
B. F. Davison:  90
D. A. G. Fletcher:  87
R. A. Gripper:  79
S. D. Robertson:  77
D. J. Lewis:  73
G. B. Lawrence:  66
A. J. Pithey:  65
P. B. Clift:  65
J. T. Partridge:  56
K. C. Bland:  55
P. N. F. Mansell:  55
H. A. B. Gardiner:  54

Players scoring 3 000 or more runs:
B. F. Davison:  4 480
S. D. Robertson:  4 343
R. A. Gripper:  4 107
J. H. du Preez: : 3 994
A. J. Pithey:  3 987
M. J. Procter:  3 662
D. J. Lewis:  3 254
P. N. F. Mansell:  3 027

Players taking 200 or more wickets:
G. B. Lawrence:  296
J. T. Partridge:  281
J. H. du Preez:  279
P. N. F. Mansell:  203

BYROM. To view the Blog Home Page - Please Click Here.
(Please visit our previous posts and archives)

Kenneth Colin Bland

In THE 1960s a tall, lithely built Rhodesian revolutionised what had always been accepted as the dullest aspect of the sport of cricket — the art of fielding.

The man was K. C. (Colin) Bland, who, with singular dedication to long hours of practice, set the cricket world alight with his spectacular efforts in the field and placed a new emphasis on an aspect of the game that had previously attracted little attention.

As a young man, Bland, believing that he was primarily a batsman, felt he could still make a material contribution to a team effort by fielding well even if he turned in a low batting score.

That was the beginning of an arduous fitness and training programme to which Bland stuck throughout his playing days. Following the Canadian Air Force 5BX fitness programme, Bland got himself into peak condition and stayed there. Encouraged by his father, he embarked on a fielding training course that involved long hours of picking up the ball on the run and throwing down stumps set up in front of a hockey goal.

The hard work paid off. With his reflexes honed razor-sharp, Bland was able to perform near miracles in the field. He developed his skill to such a degree that the run-out became a real weapon in the Springbok teams for which he played. His pick-up and return-throw in one fluid movement from any angle became legendary and by 1964 he was generally acknowledged as the finest fielder in the world.

In 1965 Bland toured England with Pieter van der Merwe's Springboks and in the first Test at Lord's he stunned the crowds with a brilliant pick- up and throw from square leg to dismiss Ken Barrington. Jim Parks suffered a similar fate in the same Test when Bland threw down his stumps. The rangy Rhodesian became a celebrity and a great draw card. For the first time, people were flocking to cricket matches to watch a man field.

Bland's performances on that tour prompted Alan Ross of the London Observer to write: "He is a handsome attacking batsman, orthodox in defence and a powerful driver with a taste for hitting unexpected straight sixes without apparent effort "But it is as a fielder that he is unique, bridging the wide gap between accomplishment and art"

Of that first Test at Lord's, Crawford White of the Daily Express wrote: "There was majestic eagle-like ferocity and grace in the way Bland swooped to throw out Barrington."

The victim, Barrington, had this to say: "I knew Colin was great but he's greater than I thought A batsman always knows where Bland is. He has to know, to live!"

Bland was not only an accomplished batsman and a brilliant fielder; he also had a sensible and analytical approach to the game. He was always thinking about how he could improve his own performance and of ways to get the other side out. An ideal example of Bland's scheming was a match against Mike Smith's touring MCC side at the Police Ground in Salisbury.

Mike Brearley of Middlesex was batting, Bland was in his happy hunting ground at cover and his Old Georgians club-mate, Vernon Dickenson, was at mid-off. Brearley consistently pushed the ball towards mid-off; Bland would come cantering in, stoop as though to collect the ball and let it go through to Dickenson while the batsmen took an easy single.

This occurred several times but in one over Dickenson suddenly stood about fifteen metres deeper. Brearley played to mid-off, saw Dickenson was deeper and went off for a single. But this time Bland came in like an express train and threw down Brearley's stumps in one movement with the unfortunate batsman well out of his ground. The great Ted Dexter was one of Bland's victims in similar fashion when the Cavaliers played at Salisbury, and there have been countless others in all classes of cricket.

Kenneth Colin Bland was born at Bulawayo on-5 April 1938, a third generation Rhodesian of Scottish descent. His talent at cricket was quick to manifest itself when he scored his first century at the age of ten for Baines Junior School. He played for Rhodesian and South African Schools in 1956 and 1957 and made his first-class debut as a nervous eighteen-year-old Milton schoolboy honoured by selection for Rhodesia against Peter May's 1956-57 MCC touring side.

His debut was exemplary and he top-scored in both innings with 19 and 38 —and that was against an attack which included the great fast bowler Frank Tyson.

From that auspicious beginning it became clear that Bland had a great future in cricket. In 1960 he captained South African Universities to a victory in two days over Western Province and in the process hit 124 out of the Universities' total of 347-5.

After a successful tour of England with the young invitation South African Fezelea's team in 1961, Bland was selected to play for South Africa against the touring New Zealand team later that year. It was not a spectacular Test debut for Bland, though his performances could hardly be classed as failures. He scored a total of 205 runs with a top score of 42 but the talent was obviously there and he gained selection for the South African team to tour Australia in 1963 and 1964.

He was not selected for the first Test of the tour as he was a little slow in finding form, but after the first Test there was no stopping him. In six innings he scored 367 runs with an average of over 60 including a magnificent 126 in the fifth and final Test. His average of 61,16 was second only to Eddie Barlow (75) and was better than batting genius Graeme Pollock, who finished his first tour with an average of 57.

Bland played in all three Tests against New Zealand and totalled 207 runs at the excellent average of 69. As a batsman he was blossoming and the following1964-65 season was to be his best when he played eight Tests against England — five in South Africa and three in England, by which time his fielding prowess was legendary.

In the second Test against Mike Smith's England side at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, Bland passed the milestone of 1 000 runs in Test cricket. He hit a magnificent undefeated 144 to take his Test total to 1 046, scored from 14 Test matches.

Bland passed another milestone in the fifth Test at Port Elizabeth when his innings of 48 took him beyond Jackie McGlew's long-standing record for first class runs scored in a South African season. It did not stop there.

By March 1965,Bland had become the first man to score 1 000 first-class runs in a South African season. He did it by hitting 62 for Rhodesia in a match against English County champions Worcestershire at Salisbury. The innings took his aggregate to 1048 runs, easily beating McGlew's previous record of 953.

It was a highly satisfying season for the Rhodesian. He had also topped the South African Test averages with 572 runs at 71,5 including a century and four half-centuries.

After the 1965 tour of England, where he so impressed as a fielder, Bland was honoured by an invitation to play for the World XI in two matches against England in September. By then he had scored 1 351 runs in 17 Tests. But it was still his fielding prowess that made Bland a cricket celebrity, someone for schoolboys to emulate.

He was extremely popular in England and drew large crowds to exhibitions of his fielding, thereby publicising a facet of cricket normally accepted as being a very ordinary and unexciting part of the game.

Ian Woolridge of the London Daily Moil commented on Bland's run-out of Barrington: "It was an electrifying moment of fielding. It is the story, not only of the throw that turned a Test but of a man who can do for fielding what Bradman did for batting." This was not isolated praise. Bland was honoured by being named as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year for 1965, and in November of that year he was awarded the John Hopley Memorial Trophy as Rhodesia's Sportsman of the Year.

The 1966 South African season was a turning-point for Bland. He was selected for the Springbok team to play the five Test series at home against Bobby Simpson's Australians but he injured his right knee on the final day of the first Test at the Wanderers at Johannesburg.

The accident happened when Bland, in typical fashion, was putting in maximum effort to stop a ball reaching the boundary. He collided with the picket fence and that injury effectively ended his Test career.

In September 1966 he had been selected for the World XI and hit 132 in their first match against Sussex. But his knee had shown signs of weakening and he played little part in the World XI's remaining matches.

Eventually he had a cartilage removed in an operation at Salisbury in January 1967. He made a good recovery and was back playing in league cricket less than a month later.

He continued to play for Rhodesia in Currie Cup and in August 1967 was appointed national cricket coach. He also captained Rhodesia in thirteen matches, winning four, losing four and drawing five, and hit his highest first-class score of 197 against Border that season.

In 1968 he received the almost customary invitation to play for the World XI in England and he duly set off in August only to be prevented from entering Britain because of his Rhodesian passport. It was a great disappointment for Bland and for British cricket fans who treasured memories of the Bland style of fielding which had made such an impact three years before.

Thereafter, his career wound down rapidly. At the end of 1969 he left Rhodesia to live in Port Elizabeth and played Currie Cup for Eastern Province, but a year later he retired from the first-class game.

In 1971 Bland accepted the post of cricket and hockey coach at Free State University and Grey College in Bloemfontein. A year later, while running a sports goods shop in the city, he was honoured with life membership of the MCC. By 1973 Bland was persuaded to return to cricket as captain of Free State in the Currie Cup B section before finally giving in at the end of the season.

An extraordinary sportsman who, in his earlier career had played hockey for both Rhodesia and Eastern Province whilst at university, Bland then turned to squash coaching.

Cricket owes a great debt to Colin Bland. He gave entertainment and joy to thousands and left a standard to which all those who profess to be competent in the field should wish to aspire.

CAREER FIGURES

Test Series
1961-62 Vs. New Zealand
Tests: 5
Runs: 205
100s: Nil
Average: 22,77

1963-64 in Australia
Tests: 4
Runs: 367
100s: 1
Average: 61,16:

1963-64 in New Zealand
Tests: 3
Runs: 207
100s: Nil
Average: 69,00

1964-65 Vs. England
Tests: 5
Runs: 572
100s: 1
Average: 71,50

In 1965 in England
Tests: 3
Runs: 286
100s: 1
Average: 47,66

1966-67 Vs. Australia
Tests: 1
Runs: 32
100s: Nil
Average: 16,00

Total
Tests: 21
Runs: 1 699
100s: 3
Average: 49,08

For Rhodesia 1956-68
Matches: 55
Runs: 87
100s: 10
Highest Score: 197
Average: 49,08

Centuries: 4
Half Centuries: 13
Catches: 22

Overall career runs: about 7 000 at an average of about 40.

- McDERMOTT.

To view the Blog Home Page - Please Click Here.
(Please visit our previous posts and archives)

Godfrey Bernard Lawrence

Over a span of thirteen years, a genial giant of 6 ft 6 in. made a profound impact on, and a great contribution to Rhodesian cricket. The man was Godfrey Bernard Lawrence, known to all as 'Goofy', who had a heart that matched his massive frame.

Lawrence teamed up with bespectacled swing bowler Joe Partridge to produce one of the finest opening attacks in the history of the Currie Cup competition. Goofy's fast-medium seamers were the perfect foil to Joe's 'benders' and the pair became known throughout Southern Africa as the 'terrible twins'.

It is difficult to separate the two, but Partridge is dealt with elsewhere in this book. The high point of Lawrence's career was his inclusion in the Springbok team which shared a five-Test home series against John Reid's New Zealand team, but there were many who were firmly convinced that the tall Rhodesian should have played for South Africa years before.

As it turned out, Lawrence's Test career was brief but spectacular. When the series ended he had captured 28 wickets at a cost of 18,28 from 222,2 overs — a clear 73 overs more than any of the other Springbok bowlers.

Lawrence was the sort of bowler whom cricket team captains pray for. Always a willing workhorse, Lawrence would plug away for hours and his accuracy seldom wavered.

A study of Lawrence's first-class career reveals some startling statistics which bear ample testimony to his talent and determination. He rarely bowled less than 25 overs in an innings (in years when the eight-ball over was the norm) and he very seldom claimed less than three wickets an innings. Obviously, Goofy would have been an asset to any team.

Against the 1961-62 New Zealand team, Lawrence produced two startling performances. In the second Test at Newlands at Cape Town he routed the New Zealand first innings to finish with figures of 30,3-12-53-8, truly remarkable bowling at Test level. In the fourth Test he captured 5-52 off 16,1 overs and in the second innings took 4-57 off 22,2 overs.

As Lawrence had taken another New Zealand wicket in their second innings of the second Test in Cape Town, the Rhodesian could claim the rare honour of nine wickets in a match on two occasions in one series.

Goofy had always fancied himself as a batsman and his rivalry with Partridge in this aspect of the game was an ever-present source of amusement to other members of the Rhodesian team. But Lawrence could legitimately claim to be the senior partner as far as batting was concerned after the fifth Test against the New Zealand.

Springbok captain Jackie McGlew had injured a shoulder and a finger and relegated himself to batting number eight. Goofy, never shy about his batting prowess, was given the opportunity to open the Springbok first innings with Eddie Barlow. With typical determination Lawrence top-scored with 43, his highest Test score!

Another feather in Lawrence's cap was that by taking two first innings New Zealand wickets and four in their second innings, he took his tally of victims to 28 — a new South African record for a fast bowler in a Test series.

David Lewis, Rhodesia's most successful captain, had this to say of Lawrence and his 'terrible twin' partner Partridge: "No praise can be too high for these bowlers, who over a period of years performed outstanding service for Rhodesia. They carried, with courage and determination, an enormous burden, and both were rewarded by South African selections only at a very late stage in their careers.

"It is firmly felt that had they played in any other province they would have received South African recognition at a very much earlier date. They were very different bowlers but complemented one another perfectly.

"Lawrence was one who bowled for long hours with great persistence and accuracy. He would be happy to bowl at any time on any day, be it at Durban in the rain or at Bloemfontein in the sun, where it was sometimes 110 degrees in the shade.

"He had a huge heart and no words are too much praise for him."

Lewis also had other ideas about Goofy's claims to be proficient with the bat but Lawrence could always counter that he had finished eighth in the South African batting averages for the series against New Zealand with a total of 141 runs at 17,62.

During his career in Southern Africa, Lawrence was the tallest cricketer in Currie Cup. Since his playing days there have been only two other cricketers who might have matched him for height — Rhodesian wicket-keeper Howie Gardiner and Natal pace bowler Vintcent van der Bijl.

Lawrence was born at Salisbury on 31 March 1932 and was educated at St. George's College where he secured a place in the 1st XI. In 1950 he appeared in the Rhodesian Nuffield trials but failed to make the team.

Still, there was little doubt that Lawrence was an opening bowler of great promise and by 1955 he had caught the eye of the Mashonaland selectors and was included in the provincial team to play Matabeleland, who at that time had seven national players, including Springbok Percy Mansell. Lawrence performed well enough to be selected for Rhodesia.

He made his first-class debut against Griqualand West in the 1955-56 season and took 3-24 in 17 overs. In six matches that season he accounted for 24 batsmen at the economical average of 15,08. In the return match against Griquas at Kimberley, Lawrence had a match tally of seven wickets for 66 runs and showed for the first time that his bluster about being a batsman of no mean talent had a ring of truth — he made 36 runs, at the time his highest first-class score.

The following season, Peter May's powerful MCC side toured Southern Africa. At Bulawayo, Goofy doggedly held up an end to enable Mansell to reach his 50 in Rhodesia's first innings and in the second match at Salisbury Sports Club, Lawrence the bowler put up a magnificent performance. He had batsmen like Colin Cowdrey, Trevor Bailey and Doug Insole tied down for long periods and finished with admirable figures of 6-104 off 35 overs while the MCC totalled 501.

Ian Craig's Australians turned up in 1957 and in the first match Lawrence bowled 38 eight-ball overs for little reward. He took 2-124 and deserved better as Australia totalled 520-6. But Goofy was not to be denied and in the three-day fixture at Bulawayo, he gave the Australians a taste of what determined Rhodesians could do.

Australia scored 292 and Lawrence took 6-83, including 4-12 in his final spell. It was the best bowling performance by a Rhodesian against Australia and one that gave Lawrence some international status.

The 1959-60 South African season was a great one for Goofy. He snapped up 31 wickets in the season, which included seven Transvaal wickets for 43 runs in an innings and 9-90 against Border in the match at East London. The South African selectors quite rightly invited him to trials for the Springbok team to tour England under McGlew but he did not make the side, many critics considering his exclusion a mistake.

Lawrence played against the strong International Cavaliers team which visited Rhodesia in 1960 and he took 4-45 in 20 overs. He also played against the Commonwealth team which toured in 1961 and which included players of the calibre of Rohan Kanhai and Sonny Ramadhin. Lawrence took three wickets in two innings. In 1964-65, English County champions Worcestershire toured and Lawrence claimed 6-61 and 1-35 in the match against them.

Goofys contribution to Rhodesian cricket was immense but is perhaps best summed up by the fact that now, thirteen years after his departure from Rhodesia to live in Australia; his record of 296 first-class wickets still stands with veteran Springbok and Rhodesian leg-spinner Jack du Preez the closest challenger. It is also pertinent that Lawrence's wickets were taken in only 66 matches for Rhodesia.

He saved his best Currie Cup figures for his last season with Rhodesia in 1965-66. Against Western Province at Newlands in Cape Town, Lawrence destroyed the opponents with figures of 19,1 -5-42-8. He also topped the national bowling averages in 1956,1959,1961,1963,1964 and 1965 — more times than any other Rhodesian bowler.

CAREER FIGURES

BOWLING
1952-65
Balls: 15 534
Maidens: 738
Runs: 5 119
Wickets: 296
Average: 17,29

Five wickets in an innings: 13 occasions.
Ten wickets in a match: once.

Best seasons: 1963 —
190,1 overs
71 maidens
299 runs
27 wickets at 11,07.

1961
109,4 overs
28 maidens
267 runs
19 wickets at 14,05

Test career (one series of five Tests against New Zealand 1961-62):
Overs: 222.2
Maidens: 61
Runs: 512
Wickets: 28
Average: 18,28

BATTING
1952-65
Matches: 66
Innings: 95
Not Out: 23
Runs: 908
HS: 60
Average: 12,61

Test career (one series of five Tests against New Zealand 1961-62):
Matches: 5
Innings: 8
Not Out: 0
Runs: 141
HS: 43
Average: 17,62

South African Cricketer of the Year: 1960

- McDERMOTT

End

Comments are always welcome - please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

To view the Blog Home Page - Please Click Here.
(Please visit our previous posts and archives)