Basil D'Oliveira, affectionately known as "Dolly," played 44 Tests for England, scoring 2,484 runs at an average of 40 and taking 47 wickets with his right-arm medium-pace bowling.
Hello 'Dolly' —
Basil D'Oliveira, affectionately known as "Dolly," played 44 Tests for England, scoring 2,484 runs at an average of 40 and taking 47 wickets with his right-arm medium-pace bowling.
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D'Oliveira had two boys, Damian and Sean. Damian enjoyed a successful career at Worcestershire and is still on the coaching staff to this day.
Family man —
D'Oliveira had two boys, Damian and Sean. Damian enjoyed a successful career at Worcestershire and is still on the coaching staff to this day.
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D'Oliveira, standing with wife Naomi and son Damian, was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II on October 29, 1969 at Buckingham Palace. He was also honored by the Royal Family in 2005 where he was awarded a CBE.
National hero —
D'Oliveira, standing with wife Naomi and son Damian, was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II on October 29, 1969 at Buckingham Palace. He was also honored by the Royal Family in 2005 where he was awarded a CBE.
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Pictured alongside fellow England player Alan Knott, D'Oliveira became an integral part of the international setup after making his debut against the West Indies in 1966. He scored his first century against India the following year, but it was his historic innings of 158 against Australia in August 1968 which sent shock waves through the cricket world.
Hitting new heights —
Pictured alongside fellow England player Alan Knott, D'Oliveira became an integral part of the international setup after making his debut against the West Indies in 1966. He scored his first century against India the following year, but it was his historic innings of 158 against Australia in August 1968 which sent shock waves through the cricket world.
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D'Oliveira was then expected to be named in the squad to tour South Africa the next day -- but he wasn't. His omission by the Marylebone Cricket Club, which chose the England team, was met with anger with the public -- who believed that the ruling body had bowed to South Africa's racist regime.
Shock omission —
D'Oliveira was then expected to be named in the squad to tour South Africa the next day -- but he wasn't. His omission by the Marylebone Cricket Club, which chose the England team, was met with anger with the public -- who believed that the ruling body had bowed to South Africa's racist regime.
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South Africa's then prime minister John Vorster, a staunch advocate of apartheid, canceled England's tour to the country following confirmation that D'Oliveira had been named in the squad. He said: "We are not prepared to accept a team thrust upon us by people whose interests are not the game, but to gain certain political objectives which they do not even attempt to hide."<br />
Apartheid regime —
South Africa's then prime minister John Vorster, a staunch advocate of apartheid, canceled England's tour to the country following confirmation that D'Oliveira had been named in the squad. He said: "We are not prepared to accept a team thrust upon us by people whose interests are not the game, but to gain certain political objectives which they do not even attempt to hide."
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In opposition to the apartheid politics of South Africa, this group of cricketers formed the "Stop the Seventy Tour," a committee set up to stop that year's tour of the South African cricket team to England. On the far right sits Peter Hain, leader of the Young Liberals and a future British MP.
Stop the tour —
In opposition to the apartheid politics of South Africa, this group of cricketers formed the "Stop the Seventy Tour," a committee set up to stop that year's tour of the South African cricket team to England. On the far right sits Peter Hain, leader of the Young Liberals and a future British MP.
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Former captain Mike Gatting led a rebel England tour to South Africa in 1990, where he was met with huge criticism and opposition by black South Africans. The 16 England players involved were being paid by the apartheid government rather than corporate sponsors, which had also been the case on previous rebel tours.
Rebel fury —
Former captain Mike Gatting led a rebel England tour to South Africa in 1990, where he was met with huge criticism and opposition by black South Africans. The 16 England players involved were being paid by the apartheid government rather than corporate sponsors, which had also been the case on previous rebel tours.
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According to Peter Oborne, who wrote "Basil D'Oliveira. Cricket and Conspiracy: The Untold Story," D'Oliveira was invited to lunch by Nelson Mandela following a coaching trip to South Africa. "At the end Mandela rose from his chair and hugged D'Oliveira. 'Thanks for coming, Basil,' he said. 'You must go home now. You've done your bit.' "<br />
Meeting Mandela —
According to Peter Oborne, who wrote "Basil D'Oliveira. Cricket and Conspiracy: The Untold Story," D'Oliveira was invited to lunch by Nelson Mandela following a coaching trip to South Africa. "At the end Mandela rose from his chair and hugged D'Oliveira. 'Thanks for coming, Basil,' he said. 'You must go home now. You've done your bit.' "
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South Africa did not play international cricket from 1970 to 1991 after being hit with sanctions in a bid to defeat apartheid. It returned with two one-day games in India before competing at the 1992 World Cup in Australia. That year it returned to Test match cricket, playing the West Indies.
Back in the game —
South Africa did not play international cricket from 1970 to 1991 after being hit with sanctions in a bid to defeat apartheid. It returned with two one-day games in India before competing at the 1992 World Cup in Australia. That year it returned to Test match cricket, playing the West Indies.
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South Africa captain Graeme Smith celebrates with the Basil D'Oliveira trophy after taking the 2012 Test match series following victory over England.
Never forgotten —
South Africa captain Graeme Smith celebrates with the Basil D'Oliveira trophy after taking the 2012 Test match series following victory over England.
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