Mike Procter: South Africa's Greatest All-Rounder Lost to Apartheid
Mike Procter took 41 wickets in 7 Tests before South Africa's isolation — at an average of 15.02. He later dominated county cricket for Gloucestershire for 15 years, regarded by many as one of the greatest players never to have a full Test career.
Seven Tests, 41 Wickets, 15.02 Average
Mike Procter played 7 Tests for South Africa between 1967 and 1970, taking 41 wickets at the staggering average of 15.02. He also scored 226 runs in those Tests at 25.11. Then South Africa were expelled from international cricket and Procter's career in Test cricket was over at 24. His seven-Test average remains one of the most compelling statistics in cricket — a suggestion of what might have been over 100 Tests, had history been different.
The Gloucestershire Years
Procter joined Gloucestershire in 1965 and played county cricket for 15 years, becoming one of the most dominant and beloved county cricketers of his era. He could bowl at genuine fast-medium pace with an unusual front-on action, swing the ball both ways, and bowl off-cutters at will. As a batsman he was capable of brilliant attacks on any bowling. He scored six consecutive first-class centuries for Rhodesia in 1970-71, an extraordinary sequence that only Bradman had matched.
The Lost Generation's Greatest Loss
Of all South Africa's lost generation, Procter may represent the greatest individual loss to world cricket. Barry Richards was perhaps a more refined batsman; Graeme Pollock's average was higher. But Procter was a genuine match-winning all-rounder who could change games with both bat and ball — a Sobers-like figure in his completeness, denied the chance to demonstrate it against the world's best over a full career. He later managed South Africa's national team after their readmission in 1991.
Frequently asked questions
What was Mike Procter's Test bowling average?
In 7 Tests, Procter took 41 wickets at an average of 15.02 — a remarkable return that suggests he would have been among the great fast bowlers in history given a full career.
What county did Mike Procter play for?
Procter played for Gloucestershire in English county cricket from 1965 to 1981, where he became one of the most dominant and beloved county cricketers of the era.