Mike Procter

Michael John Procter was a South African cricketer. A fast bowler and hard hitting batsman, he was regarded as one of South African cricket's top allrounders. Procter's involvement in international cricket was limited by South Africa's banishment from world cricket in the 1970s and 1980s. He was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1970 and South African cricketer of the year in 1967. He was well known in cricketing fraternity for his chest-on action and for his ability to release the ball early in his delivery stride. He began his career mainly as a menacing fast bowler, who famously "bowled off the wrong foot". He rose to prominence as a frontline fast bowler in first-class cricket, and he went on to capture 1417 wickets across 401 first-class matches, averaging a healthy 19.53, whereas he also showcased his prowess with the ball in List A cricket by picking up 344 wickets at a jaw-dropping average of 18.76. He also gained a reputation for being a fantastic batsman of his generation, having struck a record six consecutive centuries in first-class cricket, becoming only one of three players to do so alongside Don Bradman and C. B. Fry.