Basil D’Oliveira : Cricket and Controversy

Dive into the gripping and controversial story of Basil D'Oliveira with Peter Oborne's meticulously researched and compelling biography, "Basil D'Oliveira: Cricket and Conspiracy: The Untold Story." This First Edition Hardcover, published in 2004 by Little, Brown, uncovers the intricate web of politics, race, and sport that surrounded D'Oliveira's career, particularly the infamous 1968 England tour of South Africa. Weighing in at 968 grams and spanning 288 pages, Oborne's book goes far beyond a simple recounting of cricketing achievements. It delves deep into the social and political climate of apartheid-era South Africa and the profound impact it had on D'Oliveira, a Cape Coloured cricketer who was forced to leave his homeland to pursue his passion in England. The book meticulously examines the events leading up to D'Oliveira's controversial selection, and subsequent omission and then reinstatement, for the 1968 tour. Oborne presents evidence suggesting a deliberate conspiracy to exclude D'Oliveira from the team, orchestrated by influential figures within the cricketing establishment and possibly even the British government, to avoid a diplomatic crisis with South Africa. Why was D'Oliveira's inclusion such a threat? His very presence challenged the foundations of apartheid, exposing the hypocrisy of selecting a team to play in a country that denied basic rights to people based on their skin color. Oborne painstakingly reconstructs the behind-the-scenes maneuvering, drawing on extensive interviews and archival research to reveal the pressures and prejudices that shaped this pivotal moment in sporting history. More than just a sports biography, this is a powerful examination of racial injustice and the courage of one man who dared to defy the system. Oborne skillfully portrays D'Oliveira as a talented cricketer but also as a symbol of hope and resistance. He was a beacon of defiance, his story resonating far beyond the boundary ropes. "Basil D'Oliveira: Cricket and Conspiracy" is a must-read for cricket enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone interested in the intersection of sports and politics. Discover the untold story behind the man, the myth, and the monumental controversy that shook the cricketing world and challenged the conscience of a nation. Oborne's compelling narrative ensures that D'Oliveira's legacy as a cricketer and a symbol of racial equality endures. This is a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.