The 1968 'D'Oliveira affair' saw a planned England tour of South Africa cancelled after South Africa's government objected to the selection of Basil D'Oliveira. Why was his selection politically controversial?

Answer Explanation

Basil D'Oliveira was a Cape Coloured South African who emigrated to England because apartheid barred him from South Africa's all-white Test team. His selection for England's 1968-69 tour of South Africa led the South African government to object, resulting in the tour's cancellation and South Africa's 22-year exclusion from Test cricket.

More Players trivia

1. Graeme Pollock's career Test batting average of 60.97 remains one of the highest ever recorded, but his career was cut short at just 23 Tests. Why did his international career end so abruptly in 1970?Answer: South Africa's sporting isolation over apartheid
2. South African opener Barry Richards is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen never to play a full career, having appeared in only four Test matches, all in 1969-70, due to his country's sporting isolation. Which team did he play all four of those Tests against?Answer: Australia
3. Jacques Kallis is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, having scored over 13,000 Test runs and taken over 290 Test wickets. Which country did he represent?Answer: South Africa
4. Former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje was banned for life from all cricket administration and playing activity in October 2000. What was he found guilty of?Answer: Match-fixing and accepting money from bookmakers
5. Ian Botham's unbeaten 149 for England against Australia at Headingley in 1981 helped complete one of Test cricket's greatest comebacks. What was unique about the circumstances of England's win in that match?Answer: England won after being forced to follow on

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