The curious case of the D’Oliveira affair

 
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By sheek, 22 Dec 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

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Having witnessed recently the farcical climate change debate in Copenhagen, my mind was taken back to perhaps an even more farcical event in cricket – the ‘D’Oliveira affair’, which took place back in 1968, 41 years ago.

Basil D’Oliveira was born in South Africa on 24 September, 1931. He had one small, well, make that a major problem of the time – he was born to mixed race parents.

That is, white and black.

Denied the opportunity to represent his native country because of the colour bar, D’Oliveira emigrated to England, where he had to endure a then seven year qualification period.

D’Oliveira eventually made his test debut against the formidable West Indies in 1966, when he was 34 and a half years old. At a time when most test cricketers were winding down their career, D’Oliveira was winding his up.

Fast forward to 1968, and after a disappointing series in the Caribbean, D’Oliveira was selected for the first Ashes test against Australia.

England lost heavily, with D’Oliveira scoring nought and 87 not out.

Dolly, as he was affectionately nicknamed by the fans, was dropped for the second test. The reason given being by the selectors that the team needed a third paceman (bowling allrounder) in the attack.

England were denied winning two of the next three tests through rain.

Meanwhile, unwanted and rejected, Dolly lost form in county cricket. It would appear the selectors’ decision to deliberately drop him in view of the upcoming tour of South Africa in 1968/69 was proceeding to plan.

Then came the final (5th) test. Roger Prideaux, promoted to replace the injured Geoff Boycott, himself was injured, and Dolly was called in as the replacement. Dolly hit a magnificent 158 to guide England to victory and square the series.

But when the touring team to South Africa was announced, Dolly’s name was missing. If events to this point had appeared farcical, well they quickly turned to tragedy.

Back in April 1967, South African prime minister Mr Vorster had stated, ” Visiting teams of mixed race would be able to tour the country if they were teams from countries with which South African had traditional ties and if no political capital was made out of the situation”.

This statement clearly paved the way for D’Oliveira’s selection to be accepted. Because the 1967 New Zealand All Blacks tour had been cancelled, the South African government had been compelled to have a rethink.

In order to ensure cricket and rugby teams were allowed to continue touring the country, non-whites would be afforded the status of ‘temporary whites’ while touring the country.

According to English chairman of selectors Doug Insole, Dolly was viewed primarily as a batsman, even thought he averaged better than a wicket per test and one and a half wickets per first class match.

At some point around here, you must wonder if the British government got involved. After the announcement of the touring team, fast bowler Tom Cartwright was ruled out through injury, and replaced by … D’Oliveira!

The selectors had replaced a bowler with a batsman!

Naturally, the South African government smelt a rat. They refused D’Oliveria’s nomination, and consequently, the British government called off the tour.

It appears the MCC, who ran English and Welsh cricket at the time, had deliberately dropped Dolly off the radar (early in the season) so he would not be selected to tour SA, and therefore cause anyone embarassment or offence.

But as the occasion drew near to selection time, it appears the British government wanted Dolly selected so they could make political play.

D’Oliveira was a fine cricketer.

He played 44 tests for his adopted country England, averaging 40.06 with the bat, with 5 centuries. He also took 47 wickets at 39.55 each.

Dolly was a man of quiet dignity and deep integrity. He was a much finer human being than those politicians who attempted to use him for their political sport.

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