Twice however, in 1976/77, he was promoted to Western Province's Section A side, but struggled in the stronger competition, taking just four wickets at 52.25.
[1] He still finished the season as the equal fifth most prolific first-class wicket taker in the country, with 35 victims.
[2] In a match at the De Beers Diamond Oval against Griqualand West that season, he had statistically the best performance of his career, with innings figures of 6–55 and 2–14.
[3] On 25 March 1977, at Keetmanshoop in South West Africa, just two weeks after his last first-class appearance, Bricknell was killed in a train crash.
[4] He had been on the train with his South African Army regiment, on his way to serve in the Border War.