Famous Cricketers No 78 - Bruce Mitchell

1945/46 Mitchell played in three friendly matches this season but did nothing to enhance his reputation being remarkably unsuccessful with both bat and ball. His 52 not out in the final match brought glimpses of his form improving. He captained Transvaal for the first time this season. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 126. Transvaal v Natal, Durban, December 17, 18 (Match drawn) Friendly Match b O.C.Dawson 9 158 - - - - 96 1 b V.I.Smith 19 193 5 0 18 0 160-3 127. Transvaal v Natal, Johannesburg, December 26, 27 (Match drawn) Friendly Match b S.H.Martin 4 317 3 0 18 0 463 1 not out 52 104-0 128. Transvaal v Western Province, Cape Town, January 1, 2, 3 (Match drawn) Friendly Match c A.R.M.Ralph b J.B.Plimsoll 6 354 - - - - 131 1 b J.B.Plimsoll 17 126-2 12 1 42 2 B.Crews c O.E.Wynne 348 1 J.B.Plimsoll b SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Other Transvaal matches 3 6 1 107 52 21.40 - 1 4 Career 128 209 23 7960 195 42.79 18 41 163 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Other Transvaal matches (8b) 20 1 78 2 2/42 39.00 - - Career (6b) 1210.2 152 } 5451 228 6/33 23.90 15 2 (8b) 385.6 36 1946/47 In six matches in the Currie Cup Mitchell made 426 runs and consolidated his position as the leading batsman in South Africa. He made 159 against Griqualand West at Kimberley, he and Alan Melville (153) adding 299 for the seventh wicket which remains not only a South African record but also the fourth highest partnership for the Transvaal for any wicket. He failed against Eastern Province at home, but a week later he scored 100 against Border again at home. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 129. Transvaal v Griqualand West, Kimberley, November 1, 2, 4 (Transvaal won by an innings and 31 runs) b J.E.Waddington 159 475 - - - - 183 2 6 2 19 0 261 2 130. Transvaal v Eastern Province, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, December 14, 16, 17 (Transvaal won by 157 runs) st R.G.Draper b N.B.F.Mann 0 232 116 b N.B.F.Mann 2 141-9d 100 2 131. Transvaal v Border, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, December 20, 21, 23 (Match drawn) c and b R.R.Phillips 100 459-4d 157-3 132. Transvaal v Natal, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, December 26, 27, 28 (Natal won by one wickets) c R.J.Williams b L.W.Payn 67 302 4 0 24 0 321 1 lbw b S.H.Martin 4 168 - - - - 150-9 133. Transvaal v Western Province, Cape Town, January 1, 2, 3 (Western Province won by six wickets) b M.A.Hanley 8 202 18 1 101 1 D.M.Ovenstone c A.R.M.Ralph 361 1 c D.M.Ovenstone b J.B.Plimsoll 39 326-7d 4 0 23 0 169-4 1 21