Basil D’Oliveira:cricket boycott of South Africa
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:16 pm
Basil D’Oliveira: The man who triggered the international cricket boycott of South Africa
Basil D’Oliveira, born October 4, 1931, was a phenomenally talented cape-coloured South African cricketer. His fascinating journey into the Test world in England reached a climax in 1968 when the refusal of the South African government to admit him into the country triggered the boycott of the nation from sporting activities for over two decades. Arunabha looks back at the man who arrived in England after his best years and played 44 Tests for the country.
Setting the cat among the pigeons
Nevertheless, he was included in the side for the first Test against Australian at Manchester where he waged a single-handed battle to score 87 not out in a defeat — the only fifty by an English player in the match. However, a string of low scores in the county games allowed the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) decision makers — a fair share of them apologists for the South African regime — to keep him out of the side. After all, as early as in March 1968, South African Prime Minister John Vorster had already informed Lord Cobham, a past President of MCC, that England would not be welcome in their country with D’Oliveira in the team.
For the second Test at Lord’s D’Oliveira was the 12th man, ostensibly because captain Colin Cowdrey wanted to play another seamer. His replacement, Barry Knight, bowled well in a rain-interrupted match. However, stranger games were being played off the field.
At a dinner on the eve of the Lord’s Test, Billy Griffith, Secretary of MCC, approached D’Oliveira. The resulting suggestion, to put it mildly, was bizarre. D’Oliveira was asked to sort out the deadlock by making himself available to play for South Africa! It was more than just ridiculous. The country that would not allow a coloured player play against their national team on their soil would have found it outrageously amusing if asked to include such a cricketer in their own side. D’Oliveira refused.
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Basil D’Oliveira, born October 4, 1931, was a phenomenally talented cape-coloured South African cricketer. His fascinating journey into the Test world in England reached a climax in 1968 when the refusal of the South African government to admit him into the country triggered the boycott of the nation from sporting activities for over two decades. Arunabha looks back at the man who arrived in England after his best years and played 44 Tests for the country.
Setting the cat among the pigeons
As is well known, D’Oliveira’s celebrated ton at The Oval was a fascinating concoction of brilliance, perseverance and fate. He battled not only Graham McKenzie, Alan Connolly, John Gleeson and Ashley Mallett, but also the surreptitious, powerful, political movements ceaselessly conspiring to keep him out of action. There were diplomatic missives, determined politicians, uncertain administrators, curious suggestions and outrageous bribes.“Oh Christ, you've put the cat among the pigeons now.” Seldom has a batsman been applauded with these words on reaching his hundred — even less so by the umpire. But, when Basil D’Oliveira completed his century on that August day of 1968, umpire Charlie Elliott could not have been nearer the mark.
D’Oliveira had left for the West Indies in early 1968 with a batting average in the 50s. However, with the charms of social life discovered only in his late youth, he had recently given up his habits of a teetotaller. The jolly parties of the Caribbean evenings had proved to be a bit too enjoyable, and he had discovered the smooth, heady delights of the rum that sloshed about in the islands. Hence, during the tour eight innings had brought forth only one half century and when he had returned his Test average had slumped to 41.70.Yet, at the same time, destiny was paving the way for him through the devices of illness, injury and dropped catches. Finally the score against his name read 158 and he picked up a vital wicket on the dramatic final day. And after further off-the-field challenges, D’Oliveira made it to the England squad for the 1968-69 tour of South Africa. Never did a sportsperson have such an impact in the world of politics since Jesse Owens at the Berlin Olympics.
Nevertheless, he was included in the side for the first Test against Australian at Manchester where he waged a single-handed battle to score 87 not out in a defeat — the only fifty by an English player in the match. However, a string of low scores in the county games allowed the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) decision makers — a fair share of them apologists for the South African regime — to keep him out of the side. After all, as early as in March 1968, South African Prime Minister John Vorster had already informed Lord Cobham, a past President of MCC, that England would not be welcome in their country with D’Oliveira in the team.
For the second Test at Lord’s D’Oliveira was the 12th man, ostensibly because captain Colin Cowdrey wanted to play another seamer. His replacement, Barry Knight, bowled well in a rain-interrupted match. However, stranger games were being played off the field.
At a dinner on the eve of the Lord’s Test, Billy Griffith, Secretary of MCC, approached D’Oliveira. The resulting suggestion, to put it mildly, was bizarre. D’Oliveira was asked to sort out the deadlock by making himself available to play for South Africa! It was more than just ridiculous. The country that would not allow a coloured player play against their national team on their soil would have found it outrageously amusing if asked to include such a cricketer in their own side. D’Oliveira refused.
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