Iconic South African all-rounder Mike Procter passes away aged 77

On February 17 (Saturday), South Africa’s iconic all-rounder Mike Procter passed away after complications that surrounded his heart surgery, aged 77. Procter’s record, both with the bat and the ball, has been etched in the history of Proteas cricket, with 21936 runs and 1417 wickets to his name, having played 401 First Class games. 

Procter’s unfortunate timing meant that he couldn’t exhibit a lot of his skills at the highest level in international cricket, where he only played seven Tests, all against Australia. It was due to South Africa’s sporting isolation in the 1970s and 80s. Even then, the all-rounder picked up 41 wickets at the Test level, averaging a staggering 15.02 while still exhibiting his batting skills, averaging 34.83 with the bat. 

Later in his career, Procter returned as the head coach when Proteas returned to international cricket. Under his tutelage, the team reached the semi-final of the 1992 World Cup before winning in Tests against India and Sri Lanka while sharing a result with Australia and England. 

The all-rounder later returned as a match referee from 2002-08, a turbulent time for international cricket, where multiple matches were called off. He was also infamously involved in the Harbhajan Singh fiasco when he banned the off-spinner for three Tests after the events at the Sydney Test. 

After his stint as a referee, Procter was also the convener of the South African selectors from 2008 to 2011.