Dolly

[jd_here]

RIP Basil D'Oliveira

[boxtops]

Aw - I didn't know - I agree with you. An Elder Statesman of Cricket.

[jd_here]

And a real gentleman too, boxtops

[SeaJayPea]

Absolutely. Through all that brouhaha 40 years ago he remained completely dignified. Every report I've read today has the word 'gentleman' in it.

He's been ill for some time, I believe. There's a very good biography of him by, of all people, Peter Oborne. Well worth a read.

[Philtaz]

Indeed, got the sad news when I went into work this morning.

A cricketer whose skill was slightly overshadowed by the furore surrounding his initial non selection by the ECB, for which they ought to be eternally shameful. It was only as a result of media outcry that they reversed their decision, when one of the bowlers was unable to tour.

His county and subsequent Test record however bear testimony to his brilliance.

RIP.

[factor-fiction]

He was playing in the first test match I'd ever been to and I remember him casually stroking four consecutive balls to the boundary for four. He was a true all round player. And he was such a lovely person too.

[DTCwordfan]

Agree 44 tests, an average over 40 and 47? wickets as a record - not bad for a man who didn't play for England until his mid-30s and a commensurate gentleman.

[jd_here]

Oh Philtaz, how I agree with you. Had the ECB picked him on merit in the first place, perhaps none of the ensuing furore would have happened.

[jno]

an average over 40 then would be worth 50+ now, which is really very good. And a nice guy too, by all accounts.

[jno]

useful allrounder too

http://www.espncricin...ent/player/11914.html

[237SJ]

I didn`t know him but I knew his neice though. She used to work for us. Don`t know if she still does. Everyone knew her bacause she was completely outrageous and quite notorious. She was in trouble quite a lot but her antics were funny. She obviously doesn`t take after him.