LONDON, Nov 19: Basil D’Oliveira, the South Africa-born all-rounder whose selection in an England team to visit his native land changed the course of history, has died at the age of 80 after a long battle against Parkinson’s disease.

D’Oliveira migrated to England with the help of the renowned commentator and writer John Arlott after he was denied the chance to represent his own country by the white-ruled republic’s apartheid (racial separation) polices because he was classified as mixed race.

At a time when England had an abundance of talented batsmen, D’Oliveira was still able to force his way into the national team for the 1966 series against the all-conquering West Indies and was an immediate success against the best attack in the world.

In 1969 D’Oliveira was left out of the 16-man party for the tour of South Africa, sparking uproar throughout England.

However, he received a call-up almost three weeks later when medium-pacer Tom Cartwright withdrew through injury.

South African Prime Minister John Vorster, who had already unofficially warned the English cricketing authorities that he would not accept a team including D’Oliveira, condemned the side as a team of ‘the anti-apartheid movement’ and the tour was called off.

No official cricket side thereafter toured South Africa until apartheid was abolished following the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990.

D’Oliveira averaged a highly creditable 40.06 with the bat in 44 Tests and taking 47 wickets with his medium pace. —Reuters