South Africa Show They Can Match The World Best: A Historic Journey Of The 1950s. The 1950s was a transformative decade for South African cricket, marked by several triumphs, setbacks, and moments of brilliance. The South African (SA) cricket team established itself as a force to be reckoned with, competing against some of the world’s best teams and leaving a lasting legacy. Their ability to match the world’s cricketing giants was solidified through a series of historic matches, both at home and abroad. This long-form article delves into the significant moments of South Africa’s cricketing journey during the 1950s, including their triumphs in Australia, New Zealand, and England, and how they cemented their position as one of the top cricketing nations.
Triumph in Australia and New Zealand (1952-1953)
The 1952-53 tour of Australia marked a pivotal moment in South African cricket history. This was the tour where SA proved they could hold their own against the cricketing powerhouses. The team’s victories in Australia were celebrated as a testament to their growing strength on the international stage. However, their success did not stop there. After their triumphs in Australia, the SA cricket team moved on to play two Test matches in New Zealand. These matches proved to be crucial in SA’s development as a cricketing powerhouse.
In the first Test match at Wellington, South Africa won by an innings, an extraordinary feat that highlighted their dominance. Jack McGlew, one of the era’s most prominent batsmen, played a significant role in this victory by scoring a monumental 255 not out. At that time, this was the highest individual score ever made by a South African player. McGlew’s innings not only set records but also boosted the morale of the team. Another key contributor to this historic victory was Anton Murray, who scored his maiden Test century during the match. Murray’s performance, in partnership with McGlew, was exceptional, as the pair added a world-record 246 runs for the seventh wicket. This partnership demonstrated the resilience and depth of the SA cricket lineup, which would be crucial in their future encounters against the world’s best teams.
The second Test match in New Zealand ended in a draw, but the series victory (1-0) set the tone for South Africa’s continued success in international cricket. These matches were significant in building the foundation for future achievements and showcased the team’s ability to perform in foreign conditions.
New Zealand Tour of South Africa (1953-1954)
Following their success in New Zealand, the South African cricket team was eager to continue their winning streak. The 1953-54 season saw New Zealand tour South Africa, where the home side showcased their dominance once again. South Africa won the series 4-0, with one Test match ending in a draw. This series demonstrated SA’s ability to win convincingly on their home soil, further establishing their position as one of the leading cricketing nations.
This period of South African cricket was not just about individual brilliance; it was also about teamwork and collective effort. The team had developed a culture of resilience and determination, which allowed them to excel in high-pressure situations. These qualities would prove essential during their arduous tour of England in the following year.
The Arduous Tour of England (1955)
The 1954-55 season was one of the most challenging yet rewarding periods for South African cricket. The team embarked on a six-month tour of England, which was seen as one of the toughest tests for any international cricket team at the time. South Africa’s ability to perform well under such demanding conditions would be a true test of their character and skill.
Jack Cheetham, who had been instrumental in South Africa’s previous successes, was once again named captain of the squad for the England tour. His leadership and tactical acumen were widely respected, and he was joined by Jack McGlew, who was appointed as vice-captain. The team was composed of players who had already gained valuable experience during the tours of Australia and New Zealand, but the squad also included some fresh talent that would go on to make significant contributions to South African cricket in the future.
Among the new additions to the team were two fast bowlers, Neil Adcock and Peter Heine, who had shown exceptional performances in the Currie Cup. Their inclusion added much-needed firepower to South Africa’s bowling attack, which would be vital on the hard pitches of England. Additionally, a young all-rounder, Trevor Goddard, was selected for the tour. Goddard, who was a left-handed opening batsman and a medium-pacer, would later establish himself as one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
The tour, however, did not start smoothly for South Africa. England, under the captaincy of Peter May, won the first two Test matches, leaving South Africa trailing in the series. The second Test at Lord’s was particularly heartbreaking for the SA team as they faced a major setback when captain Cheetham injured his elbow, ruling him out for almost two months. Despite this, Peter Heine made a strong debut by capturing 5 wickets for 60 runs. Roy McLean’s brilliant knock of 142 gave SA a 171-run lead in the first innings, but Brian Statham’s exceptional bowling (7/39) in the second innings restricted SA to just 111 runs, leading to a 71-run defeat.
McGlew Takes Over as Captain
With Cheetham injured, Jack McGlew took over the captaincy for the third and fourth Tests. Under his leadership, South Africa bounced back with two memorable victories, showcasing their resilience and determination.
In the third Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, South Africa pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win with just three minutes remaining on the clock. This victory was significant, not only for its dramatic finish but also for the contributions of key players. McGlew, wicketkeeper John Waite, and Paul Winslow all scored centuries, leading the team to a hard-fought victory.
South Africa’s momentum carried into the fourth Test at Headingley in Leeds, where they outplayed England and secured a comprehensive victory by 224 runs. In England’s second innings, Trevor Goddard bowled a marathon spell of 62 overs, conceding just 69 runs while taking five wickets. This remarkable bowling performance, coupled with McGlew’s second century of the series and Russell Endean‘s brilliant knock of 116, helped South Africa post a commanding total of 500 runs in their second innings.
The Decisive Fifth Test
The series was tied at 2-2, setting the stage for a thrilling fifth and final Test. England took a narrow 39-run lead in the first innings, but South Africa fought back with Hugh Tayfield capturing 5 wickets for 60 runs, restricting England to a modest total of 204. South Africa needed 244 runs to win, but England’s spinners, Jim Laker (5/56) and Tony Lock (4/62), proved too much for the South African batsmen. SA was bowled out for 151, handing England a hard-fought victory and a 3-2 series win.
Looking Ahead: The 1956-57 and 1957-58 Seasons
Although South Africa narrowly lost the series against England, their performances in the 1955 tour earned them respect and recognition as one of the world’s top cricketing nations. The next challenges for South Africa were a five-match series against England in 1956-57, followed by a home series against Australia the following season.
Conclusion
The 1950s marked a golden era for South African cricket, a time when the team proved they could match the world’s best. From their triumphs in Australia and New Zealand to their hard-fought battles against England, the South African cricket team showcased their resilience, talent, and growing stature on the international stage. Key players like Jack McGlew, Trevor Goddard, Anton Murray, and Hugh Tayfield emerged as standout performers, leading the team to remarkable victories and setting records that would be remembered for generations.
