Legendary former South African all-rounder, coach and selector Mike Procter has passed away aged 77 as a result of complications following heart surgery. Through no fault of his own, Procter played just 7 tests, 6 of which yielded victory for South Africa, all of which were against Australia and was part of South Africa's 4-0 series win at home to Australia in 1970, which was South Africa's last series win against Australia. Proctor took an impressive 41 wickets in 7 tests. His best figures with the ball 6-23 as South Africa beat Australia by 323 runs in Port Elizabeth. In his final test series, he averaged a commendable 34 with the willow. In his career he averaged 25 with the bat.
From 1968 to 1981, Procter played 259 first-class matches for Gloucestershire scoring 14,441 runs at an average of 36.19, scoring 32 centuries with a highest score of 209 against Essex in 1978. He claimed 833 first class wickets at at an average of 19.56, with a best figures of 8-30 against Worcestershire in 1979. In a Benson & Hedges Cup semi-final at Southampton in 1977 against Kent, he took 4 wickets in 5 balls, including Barry Richards and Gordon Greenidge as Gloucestershire qualified for the final which they won against Sussex.
Procter was named was named as one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 1970, thanks to a 103-wicket season for Gloucestershire in 1969. At Taunton in August 1979, he secured another niche entry in the record books by slamming Somerset's Dennis Breakwell for six consecutive sixes, albeit not in the same over.
Procter also represented Natal where he replicated Don Bradman and CB Fry by scoring six centuries in consecutive innings, starting with 174 from 203 balls against North Eastern Transvaal on New Year's Day 1971, and encompassing a career-best 254 against West Province.
He was South Africa's coach when they returned to international cricket, convener of selectors and the man who get very, very, very excited when it looked like Lance Klusener was going to win the famous 1999 World Cup semi final. We all know how that finished!
Procter was the match referee for the most infamous test held here since the Bodyline series, which was against India at the SCG in 2008. He was said to be devastated when the 3 match ban given to Harbhajan Singh was downgraded due to fears India would head home from their tour of Australia. In his autobiography he said ''Cricket Australia has leant heavily on the players to take racism charge away, and instead make it a matter of abuse''.
From 1968 to 1981, Procter played 259 first-class matches for Gloucestershire scoring 14,441 runs at an average of 36.19, scoring 32 centuries with a highest score of 209 against Essex in 1978. He claimed 833 first class wickets at at an average of 19.56, with a best figures of 8-30 against Worcestershire in 1979. In a Benson & Hedges Cup semi-final at Southampton in 1977 against Kent, he took 4 wickets in 5 balls, including Barry Richards and Gordon Greenidge as Gloucestershire qualified for the final which they won against Sussex.
Procter was named was named as one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 1970, thanks to a 103-wicket season for Gloucestershire in 1969. At Taunton in August 1979, he secured another niche entry in the record books by slamming Somerset's Dennis Breakwell for six consecutive sixes, albeit not in the same over.
Procter also represented Natal where he replicated Don Bradman and CB Fry by scoring six centuries in consecutive innings, starting with 174 from 203 balls against North Eastern Transvaal on New Year's Day 1971, and encompassing a career-best 254 against West Province.
He was South Africa's coach when they returned to international cricket, convener of selectors and the man who get very, very, very excited when it looked like Lance Klusener was going to win the famous 1999 World Cup semi final. We all know how that finished!
Procter was the match referee for the most infamous test held here since the Bodyline series, which was against India at the SCG in 2008. He was said to be devastated when the 3 match ban given to Harbhajan Singh was downgraded due to fears India would head home from their tour of Australia. In his autobiography he said ''Cricket Australia has leant heavily on the players to take racism charge away, and instead make it a matter of abuse''.
