Procter century saves Rhodesia . . . then light appeal saves Wanderers

Magnificent Mike Procter again came to Rhodesia's rescue yesterday with a typical century on the first day of the four-day cricket match against Brian Close's International Wanderers at the Salisbury Police Ground. It was perhaps one of his most restrained and responsible centuries, but it lifted Rhodesia from potential disaster to a respectable first-innings total of 273 all out.

With half an hour left for play New Zealand Test star Glenn Turner and England's John Jameson opened for the Wanderers, but after only three balls from Procter their appeal against the light was upheld by umpires Ken Poole and Frank Kelly and play came to an unexpected halt for the day at 5 p.m. Thus the Wanderers were saved from facing the fearsome Procter after a hard day in the field.

Turner's appeal was surely made with tongue in cheek and those Test-hardened Wanderers professionals must have had a good chuckle at the decision. I believe it was ludicrous and Procter was clearly astonished and annoyed.

It was a thoroughly absorbing, if not spectacular, first day, watched by about 400 people. After Brian Close won the toss and gambled on putting Rhodesia in to bat, there was a dramatic start.

Bulawayo's buccaneering Brian Barbour hooked at the first ball of the match, but got it high on the splice and presented a gift-wrapped catch to John Jameson at deep fine leg off Graham McKenzie's bowling. Stylish Stuart Robertson was out in the second over of the day - edging a catch to second slip Basil D'Oliveira off a lively ball from Tony Greig.

The solid-looking Duncan Fletcher and smooth-stroking Springbok Peter Carlstein set about patching up the innings and added 55 before the menacing Carlstein was snapped up caught and bowled by Brian Close.

Carlstein had unleashed some glorious strokes - his hook for six off Aussie Test star Graham McKenzie being particularly memorable. Close, the 42-year-old former England captain, dismissed Carlstein with his third ball, diving full stretch to his right to cling to a one-handed catch.

Fletcher's painstaking but invaluable innings of 26 was ended after 104 minutes when he was caught behind off McKenzie, and after a brief flurry Brian Davison became the Aussie's third victim, chopping a wide ball on to his middle stump.

Then came Rhodesia's most flourishing partnership, between Procter and Jack du Preez. Du Preez battled resolutely while his skipper stacked up some delightful runs.

Procter only cut loose at the bad balls and reached his 50 in 78 minutes and his century in 156 minutes. His 114 included 13 fours and two sixes and was worth $228 to him from Dairy Marketing Board $2-a-run sponsorship. His knock ended when he mistimed a hook off D'Oliveira and lobbed a catch to Close at square leg 12 yards away.

Paddy Clift and Richie Kaschula set the seal on the innings with a gritty last-wicket stand of 29, with the teenage Clift producing some fluent shots. The Rhodesian total may prove difficult to equal as the Police outfield is painfully slow and the pitch could again have early life after overnight rain.

Most impressive Wanderers bowlers were the broad-shouldered McKenzie (3-79) and the accurate left-arm spinner of Norman Gifford. Lanky Tony Greig also bowled with great venom in patches, especially against du Preez.

The Wanderers were surprisingly efficient in the field on a hot day, dropping only one catch. Outstanding was burly John Jameson, whose ground fielding was immaculate and who dived full-length at wide mid-on to catch du Preez one-handed. A superb catch!

Play continues - weather permitting - at 10.30 today with Procter bowling to Turner. And with wickets earning him $10 apiece the batsmen could be in for a torrid time.