10 Dazzling Basil D'Oliveira Facts That Kept His Legacy Alive

10 Dazzling Basil D’Oliveira Facts That Kept His Legacy Alive: The dictum “life is short, art is long”, perfectly suits with the legacy that Basil D’Oliveira has left behind. Though, his sad demise came in the year 2011, exactly four years back, but he still continues to motivate million peoples with his turbulent life and cricket career.

Basil D’Oliveira (Born 4th October 1931 – 19th November 2011), a Cape Town born South African cricketer, played for England most of his life for the simple reason that he wanted to protest against the Apartheid regime and racism rampant during those days in South Africa. The cricketer scored 2484 runs with 5 tons and 15 fifties in his 44-test career at an average of 40. He also has 47-test-wickets to his credit.

On Basil D’Oliveira’s 84th Birth Anniversary, We Present you 10 Dazzling Basil D’Oliveira Facts That Kept His Legacy Alive:

1) Bowling Economy Rate:

Basil D’Oliveira, One of the most talented all-rounders in the England squad in the late 60s, had maintained bowling economy rate of 1.95 which is definitely one of the finest in the world.

2) Debut at 35:

The cricketer made his debut in international cricket during West Indies tour of England in 1966, at the age of 35, the age at which many cricketers retire. However, Basil D’Oliveira justified his place scoring 27 and took 2 wickets in his maiden test.

3) Pollock-Oliveira Spar:

The exhibition match between England XI and Rest of the World XI in 1966 saw the South African Peter Pollock’s deadliest bouncer at Basil D’Oliveira. It missed Basil’s head by a centimeter or two. But Peter Pollock didn’t apologize for that. However, when the two cricketers met in Australia in 1968, Pollock did apologize to Basil. Later on, both became good friends.

4) Wisden Recognized Knock:

Basil D’Oliveira once hammered 7 boundaries and 1 six in 8 ball-over in which he amassed 34 runs in one over, which was completely imaginable during those days. However, the match was unofficial one; hence there is not much reference about it but Wisden has recognized that knock.

5) Age no bar:

Basil D’Oliveira made his first class debut at the age of 33 and featured in his maiden international test at 35. He kept playing test matches until 41. Upon retirement, he kept participating at first class matches for a decade more until he turned 50-year-old.

6) Basil D’Oliveira Trophy:

The elegant English cricketer still symbolizes the courage against Apartheid and racial discrimination. A decade back, Basil D’Oliveira Trophy was initiated against the two countries; England and South Africa in 2004-05. The trophy is now hosted by these two nations alternatively after 2-3 years.

Also Read – 9 Most famous bilateral trophies in Cricket

7) The D’Oliveira Affair:

In 1968, England’s tour of South Africa was the historic one bringing the inhumane apartheid regime of South Africa to spotlight. The whole incident began with the inclusion of Basil D’Oliveira , the non-white cricketer, in the English squad team. South Africa stated they won’t play against England because of Basil’s presence. Following wide protest by the fans and people worldwide the tour was immediately cancelled. It the spirit of cricket and resulted in South Africa’s isolation from international cricket for the next 2 decades in a row.

8) Awards and Honours:

Basil D’Oliveira has received the following honors; Wisden cricketer year of the award 1967 followed with OBE in 1969 and also accomplished the honor of CBE, the third highest honor in the Queen’s Birthday honor, in 2005.

9) A Stand at Worcester:

Every time you pass through the New Road, Worcester, you will necessarily come across Basil D’Oliveira’s stand. It has been done to honor the legend – changed the face of cricket’s fight against racism.

10) An Autobiography:

Basil D’Oliveira wrote an autobiography titled Time To Declare with some assistance from BBC journalist Pat Murphy. Basil D’Oliveira accepted the fact for the first time that he was glad at the way the cricket fraternity united to protest against the inhumane Apartheid policy of South Africa following the tour cancellation.