Rebel Tours Of Cricket

Rebel Tours of Cricket

The world with all its cacophony, dissimilarities, and imbalances is highly intriguing. Intellectuals mince no words to promulgate-“World is flat”. It is indeed developing at an alarmingly faster rate. But when we just try flip any of its past pages to fathom the peaks it had scaled. We will be thoroughly disappointed with its narrow minded decisions which had cast a dark shadow on several lives.

It was in 1991 when I was quite young, I remember South Africa made their debut in the international cricket by playing their first one day match against India.  Though I was really surprised as why they made such a late entry into the international arena of cricket. I hardly bothered about the reason at that time and soon never took any interest in that matter. It is only after watching a documentary on CNN International about rebel cricket tours to South Africa. I was really surprised to know how the discriminations and inequalities have claimed a big toll on this sport for more than two decades. The events that followed due to the repressive and discriminatory attitude of their government had changed the fate of so many young cricketers. Its first International test after re-admission was against West Indies in 1992.

South Africa was suspended in the year 1970 by the ICC (International Cricket Council) following their government’s racist policy of Apartheid. This policy allowed the team to play against only the white players which includes team like Australia, England and New Zealand. South Africa was banned from participating in any sport on the international platform. By isolating the country and starving the passionate people of their beloved sport it was believed that government would reconsider its stance on policies discriminating the majority of the population.

The careers of several budding cricketers during that period in South Africa was not lucrative. Hence the South African Cricket Union was formed, which realized a greater need to play with International cricket teams to give a good boost their players. They have resorted to the strategy of enticing the players from various nations by offering substantial amounts. These matches were entirely deplorable and contemporaneous as they were against the International organizations and their policies including United Nations.  These tours were designated as “Rebel Tours”. Five rebel tours were organized during the period of 1982 and 1990. England XI  visited twice, 1982 and 1990 who were subjected to ban for three years, a fledging team of Sri Lanka tour in 82/83 who toured were handed  a ban for 25 years, Australian tours in 85/86 & 86/87 wherein all the cricketers part of that team were treated as “traitors”.

The West Indies tour in 1982/83 & 83/84 had made into headlines as the cricketers were banned for life and none of the prestigious players could ever return to the sport.  West Indies were at the height of glory in cricket during that time as they won two world cups back to back. Playing West Indies at that time was a matter of prestige.  Caribbean’s were known for their passion for cricket. But unfortunately, first class-cricketers were poorly paid and could make out a living during an off-season. These players were offered huge amount of money for their tours to South Africa.  These players were described as “Rebels”.  The series of events following the tour toppled the cricketing careers and lives of the players.  West Indies Cricket board had sentenced them for a life ban from cricket. The players were ostracized politically and socially. They were publicly shunned. They were forced to leave their countries and find home somewhere abroad.  Fierce battles raged and controversies still continue whether playing white South African by the blacks, West Indies did show that they were equal or better players? Or did they lose their morality and chose to play a white team for monetary benefits while their government maintained oppressive attitude towards the blacks in South Africa.  But of all the rebel teams that have visited West Indies were the only team to have won in South Africa. Though most of the players are still mournful about their decision, one of them was happy that they could bring a change in attitude of certain people that black race was very equal if not superior to theirs.

These players went down in the history as mercenaries’ .The decision to go on a rebel tour had destroyed their cricketing careers. Rebel players who were contacted had mixed responses to it. But by and large majority of people considered this as an act of betrayal and the cricketers who were once considered celebrities are now looked down as perfidious.  Alas! It turned out to be a doom’s day decision for many.

Photograph of West Indian players during their first Rebel tour

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