Basil D’Oliveira: the man who hit Apartheid for six

As a big fan of the gentleman's game of cricket, I have always been fascinated and intrigued by the way the sport has been used as a political tool. As most people know, games between south Asian neighbours India and Pakistan has been used as a way of creating dialogue between politicians between politicians from the two nations.

But there is one moment in the sport which in effect caused the downfall of one of the most oppressive regimes in the modern era. The apartheid era in South Africa was detrimental to the Black majority and while it was quietly noted by governments around the world, not many were willing to understand or do something about the plight of many Black South Africans who were oppressed by the regime.

The name Basil D'Oliveira will forever be etched in the memory of cricket fans around the world as not only one of the finest batsmen to play the game, but also an important political figure. D’Oliveira passed away at the weekend at the age of 80, though there is some dispute over his age after he was said to have made himself younger so he could play for the England cricket team.

But the man affectionately known as Dolly had no interest in politics. Born and raised in Cape Town, D'Oliveira lived for sport and excelled in cricket and football. Unfortunately, he was not able to play in the mainstream leagues as he was classified as "coloured" and therefore had to play for South Africa's non-white cricket team.

His exploits in the "coloured" leagues saw him get noticed by a few people in England and he emigrated to the country in 1960, playing in a local league in Lancashire. Having grown up in oppression, he was surprised to see white people doing menial work and waiting for him in restaurants, moments which were far removed from his memories of growing up in South Africa.

D'Oliveira then joined county side Worcestershire and became a British citizen in 1964 before being selected for England in 1966. He made a big impact and was named as one of the cricketers of the year in 1967.

The following year saw England play Australia but the country's selectors had concerns about including D'Oliveira in the side as he would also have to be picked for the tour to South Africa later in the year. But South Africa's Prime Minister B.J Vorseter had already stated that his inclusion was not acceptable.

D'Oliveira played the first game with Australia before being dropped from the squad and later recalled to score a match winning 158 in the final game to level the series.

But he was not selected for the tour on the notion that his bowling would not be effective in his homeland. The MCC, who selected the squad, were castigated by the public and the media, with journalist and anti-apartheid campaigner John Arlott saying they had "never made a sadder, more dramatic or more potentially damaging selection".

But an injury to bowler Tom Cartwright saw D'Oliveira called up in his place despite not being a logical replacement. But his joy was short-lived as the South African government made it clear they wouldn't let him play, and the MCC was forced to cancel the tour.

It was a moment of great sadness to both D'Oliveira and those living under the apartheid regime to see him miss out on playing Test cricket in his homeland. But what followed was a long period of sanctions and boycott for South Africa especially on the sporting front. Already banned from competing in the Olympics since 1964, the country under apartheid rule was treated like a pariah in the sporting world. The end of the oppressive regime saw sporting bodies ending their boycott.

For D'Oliveira, he has been lauded as an important figure in the fight against apartheid alongside Nelson Mandela. And it was down to making statements on the field of play which led others to fight for his cause off it.

Zohaib Rashid

Picture: Basil Lewis D'Oliveira - October 1931 - November 2011