History of cricket in South Africa from 1918–19 to 1945

This article describes the history of South African cricket from the aftermath of the First World War in 1919 to the end of the Second World War in 1945.

Domestic cricket from 1919 to 1945

Domestic first-class matches focused on the Currie Cup competition which, although it was the national championship, was not always contested because of travel constraints and other reasons. The Currie Cup was not held in seasons when there was a Test tour of South Africa, though it was held in 1931–32 when the South African Test side traveled to Australia and New Zealand.

Until 1926 all cricket in South Africa was played on matting pitches. The first Currie Cup match to be played on a turf pitch was held at the Kingsmead ground in Durban in December 1926, between Natal and Border. The first Test matches on turf pitches were held during the English tour of 1930–31. By the end of the 1930s, all first-class matches in South Africa were played on turf pitches.[1]

Currie Cup winners from 1919–20 to 1944–45

  1. Not contested: 1919–20, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1935–36, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1943–44, 1944–45.
  2. 1920–21: Western Province
  3. 1921–22: undecided
  4. 1923–24: Transvaal
  5. 1925–26: Transvaal
  6. 1926–27: Transvaal
  7. 1929–30: Transvaal
  8. 1931–32: Western Province
  9. 1933–34: Natal
  10. 1934–35: Transvaal
  11. 1936–37: Natal
  12. 1937–38: Natal and Transvaal (shared)

Second World War

From the outset of the war, South Africa was actively involved as a member of the Allies. The war brought austerity and cricket was considered by many to be frivolous in such circumstances. Only one first-class game was played in South Africa during the wartime seasons.

This match took place during the 1942 New Year period at Newlands in Cape Town between Western Province and Transvaal. It ended in a draw. Western Province batted first and scored 237 in 79.1 overs. In reply, James Pickerill's 71 was the top score, and Reginald Lofthouse's 4–63 was the best return as Transvaal made 251 for 8 declared. Sidney Kiel top-scored in the match with 128 not out as Western Province declared on 236 for 8. This didn't quite leave enough time for a result and Transvaal had made 166–6 when stumps were drawn.

International tours of South Africa from 1919–20 to 1944–45

Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) 1919–20

Main article: Australian Imperial Force Touring XI § Tour of South Africa

The AIF team had players of the caliber of Jack Gregory, Herbie Collins, Bert Oldfield, and Nip Pellew.

Australia 1921–22

Main article: Australian cricket team in South Africa in 1921–22

England 1922–23

Main article: English cricket team in South Africa in 1922–23

England 1924–25

Main article: S. B. Joel's XI cricket team in South Africa in 1924–25

A team captained by Lionel Tennyson and including 12 past or future England Test players toured South Africa between November 1924 and February 1925.

England 1927–28

Main article: English cricket team in South Africa in 1927–28

England 1930–31

Main article: English cricket team in South Africa in 1930–31

Australia 1935–36

Main article: Australian cricket team in South Africa in 1935–36

England 1938–39

Main article: English cricket team in South Africa in 1938–39

References

  1. ^ Bruce Murray and Christopher Merrett, Caught Behind: Race and Politics in Springbok Cricket, Wits University Press and University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, Johannesburg and Scottsville, 2004, p. 42.

Further reading

  • H S Altham and EW Swanton, A History of Cricket, Volume 2 (to 1945), George Allen & Unwin, 1947
  • Rowland Bowen, Cricket: A History of its Growth and Development, Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1970
  • Louis Duffus, South African Cricket, Volume 3, 1927–1947, The South African Cricket Association, 1948
  • South African Cricket Annual – various editions
  • various writers, A Century of South Africa in Test & International Cricket 1889–1989, Ball, 1989