The Reverse Sweep

Basil D'Oliveira R.I.P

It's not been a good few weeks for cricket. First Graham Dilley, then Peter Roebuck and now Basil D'Oliveira - like Dilley another favourite son of Worcestershire.

We are too young to have seen D'Oliveira play, but his record speaks for itself. He averaged over 40 with the bat in his 44 Tests - a record all the more impressive given that he didn't make his debut until he was 35. He also scored nearly 20,000 runs and took over 500 wickets in first-class cricket.

But stats only tell half the story with Dolly, who was the catalyst for the sporting ban that was belatedly the fate of South Africa due to its vile Apartheid regime.

The South Africans refused to countenance D'Oliveira - a Cape Coloured by birth - as part of the MCC squad to tour their country in 1968 and this self-inflicted wound led to their eventual banishment from world sport.

Many argue that sport and politics shouldn't mix, but as Scyld Berry thoughtfully argued in the Daily Telegraph yesterday:

"History may well decide that the lives of millions of non-white South Africans would have been made wretched for even longer but for Basil D'Oliveira."

A poignant reminder for present-day South Africa and perhaps an indication of the debt of gratitude that the likes of Hashim Amla and Makhaya Ntini owe the dignified and brave D'Oliveira. 

Where next?
The contrarian erudite genius of Peter Roebuck

Cricket Heroes: Graham Dilley R.I.P

Sir Alec Bedser R.I.P

Trevor Bailey R.I.P

Cricket Heroes: Hashim Amla

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

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Parity restored: South Africa's series marks out of ten

Graeme Smith and his men were cock-a-hoop after squaring the series at The Wanderers, although this will be tainted somewhat by the fact that they weren't able to take one more wicket at Centurion or Cape Town.

Here are my marks out of ten for the series for the Proteas:

Graeme Smith - 8: Centuries in the last two tests made him the leading runscorer in the series even if luck was on his side in both innings. Not the most attacking captain in the World, which certainly contributed to his side not getting over the line in Pretoria and Cape Town and loses him a point in the final analysis.

Ashwell Prince - 3: A shockingly poor return of 97 runs at an average of 13.85 suggests that South Africa will be looking for a new opener for the Indian tour. A decent player but not suited to opening.

Hashim Amla - 8: A solid series built around two big partnerships with Smith at Cape Town and Johannesburg. Given he was at the crease early most times he batted and did well, Amla could find himself opening in India.

Jacques Kallis - 8: Another good series for Mr Consistent with tons at Centurion and Cape Town and is still the wicket most prized by South Africa's opponents. Unsurprisingly after a rib injury, his bowling lacked the usual punch.

AB De Villiers - 7: Three fifties but only a highest score of 64 suggests that De Villiers needs to quell his impetuosity at times and take a leaf out of Kallis' book. The best fielder on either side.

JP Duminy - 6: Had a shocker as a batsman with a highest score of 56 and an average just over 16, which suggests he may not be the next great batsman that some have suggested. But as a bowler he outshone the lacklustre Harris and claimed eight wickets during the series including a spell at Cape Town that nearly won his side the match.

Mark Boucher - 9: Excellent with the gloves and even better with the bat scoring 341 runs at an average of 57 during the series. His 95 at Johannesburg took the game away from England after they had got back into the match on the third morning.

Morne Morkel - 8: When he was good he was absolutely devastating as 19 wickets in the series at 21 suggests, but is still at times frustratingly inconsistent as proved by his spell with the new ball on the final afternoon at Newlands.

Dale Steyn - 9: For once the ICC rankings are accurate as Steyn bowled like the best bowler in the World in the final two tests once back to full fitness. If he had played at Centurion, would England have survived?

Paul Harris - 4: A very poor series from a spinner who seems to get little spin and non-existent turn. The main reason why his side failed to finish off England at Cape Town. Outshone by the part-timer Duminy and may struggle to return to the side after being left at Johannesburg.

Friedal De Wet - 6: Devastating spell with the new ball in the final session at Centurion nearly won his side the test match. Was then overlooked for Durban and injured for most of the Newlands test. Will come again.

Makhaya Ntini - 3: Seemed to be way past his best at Centurion and Durban and that may be the last we see of him in test cricket. At least won his 100th cap at Centurion - a deserved reward for a fantastic career and a man who has transcended sport in his home country.

Wayne Parnell - 6: Made his debut at Johannesburg and took the scalps of Strauss and Pietersen as his first two test wickets. Extremely promising bowler who can expect to become a feature in the test side.

Ryan McLaren - 6: Also made his debut in the final test and took the important wicket of Collingwood in the first innings. Useful contribution with the bat as well.