Cyril Helfrich

Cyril Desmond Helfrich (21 March 1924 – 23 March 2002) was a South African cricketer who played first-class cricket for Griqualand West between 1945 and 1958. He was one of four brothers who played first-class cricket in South Africa.

A middle-order batsman and occasional medium-pace bowler, Cyril Helfrich had his most successful season in 1950-51, when he was one of only five batsmen to score 500 runs in the Currie Cup.[1] He made 524 runs at an average of 52.40, including his highest first-class score of 165 in the match against Eastern Province, when he went to the wicket with the score at 27 for 3.[2] At the end of the season he played in a trial match to help the selectors choose the team to tour England that year, but he was unsuccessful.[3]

Helfrich was particularly successful in Griqualand West's matches against touring teams. He top-scored for them in the match against MCC in 1948-49 with 71 in the first innings,[4] scored 77 against the Australians a year later,[5] and made a quick 55 not out in a run-chase against the New Zealanders in 1953-54. He also took five wickets against the New Zealanders.[6] In his last first-class innings he made 23 when Griqualand West were dismissed for 69 by the Australians in 1957-58.[7]