The KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union, along with the sports activities fraternity, has acquired with nice unhappiness and a deep sense of loss, information of the passing of former Proteas and KwaZulu-Natal all-rounder Michael John Procter – affectionately often known as Mike Procter – who handed away after falling critically in poor health.
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Whilst his passing leaves an unquestionable void within the cricketing world, Procter’s legacy will endure as an inspiration for generations to come back.
Known for his dynamic all-spherical skills, Procter’s life was multifaceted.
His life as a learner was distinguished, his profession as a world class cricketer was excellent, his management prowess was noteworthy and his function as a cricket administrator and coach, outstanding.
He etched his identify in cricketing historical past with a fierce bowling prowess that struck worry into the hearts of opponents and a batting type that commanded respect.
His illustrious profession spanned from the Nineteen Sixties to the Nineteen Seventies, leaving an indelible mark on the game.
Mike Procter attended Hilton College
Procter was born on 15 September 1946 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
A product of Highbury Preparatory School and Hilton College, Procter was broadly thought to be one of many world’s all-time cricketing greats.
At Highbury Preparatory School, he scored 5 centuries, together with 210 not out towards an below-13 Transvaal facet.
A pure athlete, his contribution to high school sports activities at Hilton College was huge.
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He was some of the versatile sports activities boys of his time, having excelled in rugby, cricket, hockey, squash, garden tennis and athletics. He was the flyhalf within the First XV at Hilton College.
Procter performed for Natal faculties within the Nuffield week and for South African faculties in 1963 and 1964.
He was additionally blessed with unbelievable management abilities from a really early age.
This was clearly demonstrated when he served because the vice-captain to Barry Richards within the South African Schools facet which toured England in 1963.
Procter inherited a love of cricket from his late father, Woodrow Procter, who whereas nonetheless in school, performed for Eastern Province.
A quick bowler, who bowled with good hostility, and a tough hitting and swashbuckling batsman, Procter proved himself as an immense cricketer.
Played simply seven Tests
He made his Test debut for South Africa towards Australia on 20 January 1967 and in the identical yr he was adjudicated because the South African Cricketer of the Year.
The worldwide ban on South Africa restricted his Test profession to a mere seven appearances, all of them towards Australia between 1967 and 1970.
He took 41 wickets at a median of 15.02.
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Procter performed for the Rest of the World versus England in 1970, and took 15 wickets at a median of 23.9 in 5 Test-format matches.
In 1978/79, in the direction of the tip of his taking part in profession, Procter performed for the World XI in Kerry Packer’s World Series of Cricket in Australia.
He carried out with bat and ball within the three ‘Super Tests’ during which he performed – his batting common was 34.2 and his bowling common 18.6.
Procter later served because the captain of the South African cricket group towards the English rebels XI in 1982.
He performed his home cricket for Natal (1965/66 – 1968/69 and 1988/89), Western Province (1969/70), Rhodesia (1970/71 – 1975/76) and Orange Free State (1987/88).
In 1970, Procter joined Sir Donald Bradman and CB Fry as the one batsmen at the moment to hit six successive first-class centuries, a feat he (Procter) achieved for Rhodesia.
He performed county cricket in England for 13 years as an abroad participant for Gloucestershire and led them to nice success, with the his loyal and devoted followers referred to as it Proctershire.
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He was the Professional Cricketers’ Association Player of the Year in 1970 and 1977 and he received the Cricket Society Wetherall Award for the Leading All-Rounder in English First Class cricket in 1978.
Undoubtedly, his biggest feat was Wisden naming him the Cricketer of the Year in 1970.
As an achieved and feared bowler, Procter was very unorthodox.
He had an ungainly chest on motion, seeming to bowl off the mistaken foot, although not truly doing so, on the finish of a really lengthy sprinting run as much as the wicket.
His uncommon motion generated late swing which was unplayable at instances.
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Procter took 4 first-class hat-methods, two of all of them LBWs in consecutive matches towards Leicestershire and Yorkshire.
In a Benson and Hedges Cup semi-closing in Southampton, England, he took 4 wickets in 5 balls, which included the wickets of Barry Richards and Gordon Greenidge.
Following his retirement from taking part in the sport, Procter was appointed to the elite panel of match referees by the International Cricket Council, for officiating cricket matches.
After retiring, he served because the Director of Cricket for the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, in addition to Northamptonshire county in England.
Procter was appointed as the primary put up-isolation coach of the South African cricket group, and he was the coach for the excursions of the West Indies, India, Sri Lanka and Australia.
Beyond the statistics and accolades, Procter embodied the spirit of cricket.
His sportsmanship, dedication and love for the sport endeared him to followers worldwide. Whether donning the South African jersey or contributing to the cricketing world in numerous capacities put up-retirement, Procter’s affect prolonged far past the boundary ropes.
While he was often known as the particular person most-in a position to give efficient management, Procter was broadly thought to be a scientific and meticulous particular person with a mild braveness rooted in a deep love for humanity and an absolute perception in equality and freedom.
When requested about his profession being shortened on account of worldwide ban on cricket in South Africa, Mike Procter would proudly state that his ache was nothing in comparison with the ache that was felt by tens of millions in South Africa on the time.
He was a sound coach and an individual of nice sensitivity; he labored successfully, truthfully and selflessly within the pursuit of all that’s good, truthful and fantastic; he displayed quiet energy, perseverance and consistency in striving for high quality teaching for all cricket gamers in South Africa and England.
In extending his honest and heartfelt sympathy and condolence to Mike Procter’s spouse, Maryna and the household, KZN Cricket Union’s President, Yunus Bobat indicated that Procter’s devotion to cricket was sturdy and unwavering.
‘Long and distinguished career’
He mentioned “it was an honour to have recognised Mike Procter at our recent 100 year celebration where we handed Mike a Kingsmead Celebration blazer as a tangible thank you for legacy that Mike has helped Kingsmead build. A true gentleman of the sport, who will be greatly missed by the KZN and South African cricket fraternity.”
Procter led a full and noteworthy life, easy and with out pretences, and one which serves as a supply of inspiration to all those that had the nice fortune to know and work together with him.
He led a life devoted to his household, buddies, colleagues and gamers.
His lengthy and distinguished profession added lustre and distinction in sport. He has left behind a wealthy and immortal legacy of the fantastic values he cherished and so bravely upheld.
His passing away has created an enormous void throughout a number of dimensions and within the lives of many within the cricketing fraternity all through the world.
Heinrich Strydom, the CEO of the KZN Cricket Union said that Mike Procter was a form-hearted man who was at all times obtainable to share his wealth of information.
“On behalf of the KZN Cricket family, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Maryna and the family. Mr Procter was a great man who served the game with distinction. May his soul rest in peace.” mentioned Strydom.
Procter was a pal, mentor and information, a supply of inspiration and a tireless employee on the cricket area. He was a person of boundless power, an organiser and visionary, an important humanist within the best sense of the time period. Your infinite journey has begun, your soul is free. Rest in peace, Mike Procter.
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