Jack Heron

Jack Heron was a very talented opening batsman, particularly strong on the leg side, and a brilliant fielder, generally in the covers. A schoolboy prodigy, he made his debut for Rhodesia in 196-68, but took a while to adjust his temperament to the ferocity of Currie Cup cricket and had only five opportunities in the middle order before 1975-76, when he was tried as an opener. He began with a Gillette Cup century against Border, and in 10 matches that season (one for a South African President's XI against International Wanderers) he scored 827 runs at an average of 43.52, with a magnificent career-best of 175 against Transvaal. This was the real Heron, but unfortunately he never again played to his true potential, although still playing good innings at times. A schoolteacher who turned to commerce, he made his final appearances in the World Cup of 1983 and then emigrated to Australia.
John Ward