Basil D’Oliviera
Dave Woodhall attempts to pay tribute to a great sporting icon.
Basil D’Oliviera
I’m not a big fan of cricket, but one of my heroes – not just sporting but in any walk of life – has always been Basil D’Oliviera.
His death yesterday brought some of the most heartfelt and sincere tributes ever paid to a sportsman; reminding the world that here was a man who played a major part in bringing down an obscene regime not through violence and bloodshed, but with dignity and decency.
I would like to add my own tribute, but nothing I could say would come anywhere near this http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1
A great man indeed.
I completely agree with Dave’s tribute and the excellent tribute he links to.
It is astonishing that he made his England debut at 38, made his most heroic innings aged 40, but was facing the fierce Dennis Lillee fast bowling at his peak aged 43 and 44 without a helmet. Batsmen half his age were wearing elaborate body armour against much slower Test bowlers by the time he retired aged 51.
He had great moral courage and great physical courage.
May Dolly rest in pace and his family be blessed and comforted.