1968 is a landmark and eventful year in international cricket history. The events that unfolded that year shaped the global identity and perception of sport. As England geared up for the Ashes, speculations were rife about Basil D’Oliveira’s possible exclusion from the squad.
He had a dismal tour of the West Indies earlier that year. Also at play were the forces that wanted his name to be omitted from the South African tour later that year. Not because of his performance though. But who is D’Oliveira?
D’Oliveira or ‘Dolly’ as he was affectionately known, grew up as a ‘colored’ man in South Africa. Racial segregation was rampant and just like any other non-white person, he was deprived of basic human rights under the Apartheid government. However, stories of his cricketing prowess had already started to create sensations.
Playing in a match for the Cape Town Club as a teenager, he contributed 225 out of the team's total of 236 in a quickfire innings that lasted around 70-80 minutes. As a matter of fact, he managed to score more than eighty centuries in club cricket from 1951-1960.
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Despite being an exceptionally talented cricketer, his selection in the all-white South African team was an improbable dream. But this didn’t deter him from striving hard to make a mark at the international level, even if it meant to play for some other country.
In 1958, he penned a desperate letter seeking help from renowned cricket writer and commentator, John Arlott. Arlott happened to be a champion of anti-apartheid movement and helped D’Oliveira move to England. Dolly’s fortunes changed in 1960 when he was signed by Middleton Cricket Club for the Central Lancashire league.
The transition to a foreign land was not easy, particularly the harsh English weather and damp green wickets. But the fighter in him refused to bow down. He topped the league batting average at the end of the season, ahead of even the legendary Gary Sobers and also managed to pick up 71 wickets.
Worcestershire signed him in 1964 on the recommendation of English batter, Tom Graveney. An assuring century on the debut and sublime all-round performance (D'Oliveira scored more than 1500 runs in the season) helped Worcestershire win the championship.
This was just the beginning of the prosperous days ahead. Dolly was granted British citizenship which made him eligible to play for England. His dream was finally coming true. He made his international debut against the West Indies at Lord’s in 1966 and went on to score his maiden century against India in 1967. His stroke play captured the imagination of the English audience and earned him the recognition of Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1967. But a twist in the tale was about to come.
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Back to the Ashes 1968. D’Oliveira was included in the side for the opening Test and top scored with an impressive 87 not out, but in a losing cause. He was shockingly dropped from the remaining tests. His exclusion was attributed to the vile attempts by the South African Government to not let him sail to South Africa, as they didn’t prefer mixed teams to compete with the white team.
Then South African Prime Minister John Vorster was an ardent supporter of the Apartheid system and had communicated his intentions to the former president of the MCC, Lord Cobham, of cancelling the tour if D’Oliverira was selected.
He was also offered a bribe by a South African Businessman to make himself unavailable for the tour, which he refused. Dolly’s success in the Ashes would have made him an automatic contender for the South African tour and MCC buckled under pressure to avoid the embarrassment and controversies. But God was kind and D'Oliverira got his due. While politics reared its ugly head off-the-field, Dolly made sure it was his performance on the field which made noise.
The opening batter Roger Prideaux withdrew from the fifth test due to pleurisy and Dolly was drafted in the side. His incredible 158 helped England win the dramatic Oval test and square the series. Peter Oborne in his book Basil D'Oliveira: Cricket and Conspiracy argues,
“No other cricket innings in Test history has done anything like so much good”
Dolly was taking on Apartheid in his own indomitable style. His selection to the South African tour looked a certainty. Or so he thought. To the bewilderment of many, D’Oliveira was omitted from the squad, leaving him inconsolable. This sparked public outrage and MCC was heavily lambasted for its inconsiderate behaviour.
But the fortunes conspired again for D’Oliveira. English medium pacer Tom Cartwright withdrew due to a shoulder injury and Dolly was announced as his replacement. Prime Minister Vorster refused to allow him to play and referred to The MCC team as the team of the anti-apartheid movement.
The tour was called off and South Africa found itself amidst an international controversy and sporting wilderness due to its racist policies. The “D’Oliveira Affair” exposed the harshness and insensitivity of the Apartheid regime and changed the way the world looked at racial discrimination. A man of exceptional talent, dignity and grace, D’Oliveira’s legacy as a symbol of hope and change lives on.
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