There are three cricketers from three different eras whose lives were more than cricket and who lost a significant portion of their cricketing careers because they did something that they believed was right.
These are their stories.
Charles Studd
One name on the famous poem on the Ashes urn is Studd. The Studd name was famous in English circles, and three brothers made the grade. Sir John Edward Kynaston, George (GB) and Charles (CT) Studd all became famous cricketers during their time. CT and his brother George toured Australia in the 1882-83 series, the first to become known as the Ashes. Studd played five Tests in total and is forever memorialised on the Ashes urn.
However, Studd retired shortly after the tour because he felt the call of God to do missionary work. Ministering in China, India and later in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Studd passionately served his God. He died in Congo, having fulfilled his personal mission,
“Only one life ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last,” he wrote.
Hedley Verity
Hedley Verity was a left-arm orthodox bowler for England during the 1930s. Verity bowled at almost medium pace, delivering the ball faster than a usual spin bowler would deliver it. Rather than spin the ball a great deal, Verity took wickets through his accurate bowling and was a handful on wet pitches.
His first international tour was the infamous Bodyline series in 1931-32. Despite the fast bowlers finding success utilising the Bodyline tactic, Verity himself took 11 wickets and had the second-best bowling average behind quick Harold Larwood. He went on to have great success for England in subsequent tours.
However, Verity foresaw that Europe was heading to the brink of war, so in 1937 he began reading military literature and training with the Green Howards. When war broke out, Verity enlisted and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Verity’s unit moved around a fair bit during the war and spent some time in India, where his health deteriorated.
Verity’s unit discovered that they would be part of the Allied invasion of Sicily. During one fierce battle Verity commanded his platoon near a German outpost during a night raid when he was hit by shrapnel in the chest. Left behind and captured by the Germans, he was sent to Italy for surgery. He subsequently died in Italy of his wounds and was buried with full military honours. Verity missed the last several years of his career for England but joined his country and died doing what he believed was right.
Henry Olonga
‘Courageous’ had to be the word that summed up Henry Olonga’s career. One of the quickest bowlers Zimbabwe ever produced, Olonga also formed the spearhead of the Zimbabwean attack for several years.
Olonga was born in Zambia but moved to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, early on in his life. Attending a prep school, he starred for the school and for the Zimbabwe national school cricket team. In 1995, at the age of 18, Olonga was picked to play a Test for Zimbabwe. In so doing, Olonga became the first black cricketer to represent Zimbabwe. No balled for throwing in a Test, Olonga remodelled his action with the help of Dennis Lillee and got back into the national team shortly thereafter.
Olonga played ODIs for Zimbabwe as well, the shorter format encouraging him to bowl as fast as he could. He took three wickets against India in the final over of a match during the 1999 World Cup, which led Zimbabwe to their first-ever win against India. However, as for much of his career, Olonga was never far from controversy.
(Photo by Jed Leicester/EMPICS via Getty Images)
During the 2003 World Cup, Olonga and Andy Flower sported black armbands for the duration of the Cup. They released a statement condemning the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe by then-dictator Robert Mugabe. While the rest of the world commended their stance, Zimbabwe rejected them both and treated Olonga harshly. He was kicked out of his cricket club and branded a “traitor”. There was even a warrant issued for Olonga’s arrest on charges of treason!
These days, Henry Olonga pursues a career as a cricket commentator and singer. He has appeared on shows like The Voice and The All Star Talent Show. Olonga’s stance against racism and violence in his nation cost him a great deal, but his stance against racism and human rights abuses has never been forgotten.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Both my mother’s and father’s side were farmers for 5 or 6 generations before mine. I am so grateful to have grown up in the 1970s and 80s in Australia’s long since disappeared world. Believe me, it took a lot of soul searching before finally deciding in my mid-20s to leave the farm to see the world, I kid you not.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Damn , and the rest of us mugs have to work for a living . But there is something about farming .. one side of my family are farmers . Definitely the nicer side . Cheers . Nice chat :thumbup:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
All of their team mates insist that both Ricky Ponting and Greg Blewitt could both have become millionaire pro golfers had they made that sport their go instead of cricket. Curtly Ambrose said that cricket basically got in the way of going to the US to become a pro basket ball player. ____ As for me, I would seriously have loved to be a farmer just like my father, but I just had to travel the world …
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
No it’s not Once Upon … A good sportsman one sport usually can do well others . AB de Villiers could have chosen to be either a Pro Golfer , rugby or Pro Tennis player . Interestingly in Johannesburg Junior league baseball is a big thing . Quinton de Kock for example a fine baseball player and probably would have gone pro if he grew up elsewhere. Still maintains he preferred it to cricket .But it is very rare for one person to have been selected for his country in 2 sports . Jeff Wilson of NZ comes to mind . The modern demands on a player today just too big .
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
The highest level of Australian football Rosie? You mean club level? :laughing:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
John Eales was also captain of the first xi cricket team at the same school in Brisbane where he was a year ahead of Matthew Hayden. This is not unusual in any country really.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Thy will be done in Perth as it is in Devon
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
No, I am not aware of any cricket of note since Pakistan. Have you read my most recent article? A dictionary definition of extreme optimism would be “To try and argue away the completely uncapped numbers contained therein” :happy:
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Secret mission, Once-a. Thanks for the kind words. Have I missed anything? Has there been any cricket of note since Pakistan ? I hope you’ve won a few more converts to capping!
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Sorry, a correction is required; it wasn't FAO, it was the World Bank.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Dunno what JP 2 played but if I had the authority everyone would play cricket and Aussie rules as a religious duty. Actually, stuff it, I hereby make that decree.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Tragic and Brave. A conflict not well known in the west including me . Like the hasty and horrific partition , East Pakistan seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
I don't think he was related to the other Gregorys.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Plz forgive me if my posts here are becoming too large. I love talking about our liberation history and I love talking about our cricket history; and if they get combined it's very difficult to control myself. It's about Jewel's death. After Bangladesh declared it's independence on 26th march, initially it was a guerrilla type war; and most of the activities of the Muktijodhas was in the remote parts of the country. Dacca was full of military personnel. I think it was in June or July that the Muktijodhas had their first major operation in Dacca, a power station was blown up in central Dacca. Meanwhile the Pak govt had asked for a huge aid package from FAO. But the organization was ready to give the package only after becoming sure that everything had become normal in East Pakistan. So, they send a team to Dacca who stayed in the Intercontinental Hotel. The freedom fighters, on the other hand was determined to stop the package, as they feared that most of the money would be diverted to military use. So three young men were sent near to the hotel, Jewel, a student leader named Maya (he is still actively involved in politics and is an influential member of the ruling party), and a hockey player whose name I can't recall now. The plan was to give a message to FAO without hurting anyone. So, as a car of FAO Dacca office waited in the hotel, a grenade hit it and it was badly damaged. But no one was hurt. The Report reached the FAO headquarters and the package was cancelled. So the mission was successful, but soon all 3 were captured and taken to the Dacca cantonment. On 1st Sept many people (including Jewel's 2 comrades) were released as part of an 'amnesty' offered by Gen. Yahya Khan, the military dictator of Pak at the time. But, Jewel never returned. It's possible that he was already dead due to the tortures. Both Jewel and Maya were awarded the 'Bir Bikrom', the 3rd highest gallantry award of Bangladesh. I presume the 3rd member of the group also got the same award.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Also one of the great cricket nicknames "Johnny Won't Hit Today" in honour of his stubborn batting.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Yeah but who hasn't scored a ton and taken threefa against the kiwis?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
In his will published after his death in 1952 he left £400 to two Italian farmers who had sheltered him in the North Italian marshes after he had escaped.[8] Also a multi skilled sportsman . Was Natal Amateur Open Golf Champion . Only lived to 31 years old but clearly filled every minute of them .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Dave Callaghan is an interesting case . Scored 169 and took 3 for 32 against NZ in an ODI in the 90s at Centurian Park . That’s still a World record for any batsman who previously had no 50 to his name . Was also a classy Rugby Centre at provincial level .
matth
Roar Guru
There is a lot more story to this. He kept a diary while in two different prisoner of war camps. Escaped twice but the first time returned as he didn’t like the look of the land. Eventually escaped during a forced March by hiding in a pipe for hours while the Germans randomly shot through it in case anyone was in there. It’s a fascinating story and his description of day to day life in the horrific conditions of the camps is amazing.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Sheesh!