Your kindness has touched us (From Worcester News)

Tributes to Basil D’Oliveira have touched us

12:50pm Thursday 24th November 2011 in WCCC By Elizabeth Sweetman, @lizsweetmanWN #worcsnews

THE son of cricketing legend Basil D’Oliveira has said the family has been overwhelmed by the number of tributes paid to Worcester’s “adopted son”.

Tributes have poured in from all over the world for the England and Worcestershire County Cricket club star following his death on Friday afternoon.

He died at the Stanfield nursing home in Rushwick, near Worcester, where he had been for the past seven years.

Damian D’Oliveira, who is academy manager at New Road, said: “We’re overwhelmed by just how many people remember him.

He had been out of the limelight for 10 or 12 years.

“I have to be honest, I haven’t replied to the tributes but we do appreciate it.

"I would just like to thank everyone at the nursing home for how fantastic they have been and the club too.”

Basil D’Oliveira hailed from South Africa, but was classed a “Cape coloured” under the apartheid regime.

He came to England, eventually being picked for the national squad, but a tour of South Africa in 1968 was cancelled after the racist regime objected to his inclusion.

This led to the sporting isolation of South Africa for more than two decades until the apartheid regime ended.

Speaking of his father’s awareness of his “legendary” role in bringing down apartheid, Mr D’Oliveira said: “At the time yes, he would have been aware.

"But now he would have been amazed and overwhelmed that he is still held in such high regard.

“I think he knew what he achieved but he would be amazed at how much people still talk about it – and all the tributes are showing it.”

Basil D’Oliveira started playing for Worcestershire in 1964 and remained with the club as both a player and a coach.

Both son Damian and grandson Brett are now involved with the club.

Mr D’Oliveira said: “Tom Graveney moved to Worcester and said to my dad, ‘I want you to come and play’ and like any young cricketer, he decided to go and it snowballed.

"He wasn’t a big one to move around. If someone showed him a little bit of faith, he would repay that faith.

“Staying in Worcester was linked to the cricket but Worcester people have been fabulous to us, he was their adopted son really. It’s quite a little family.”

The family will be holding a private funeral for the cricketing legend.

A thanksgiving service will be held at Worcester Cathedral on Friday, January 27, at 2.30pm.

All family, friends, players and former cricket associates are welcome to attend.

• Floral donations can be sent to Stanfield Nursing Home, Upper Wick Lane, Rushwick, Worcester, WR2 5SU. Anyone wishing to pay their respects by letter can write to Worcestershire County Cricket Club, the County Ground, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4QQ. All letters will be passed directly to the family.