
Words by Dave Bradley
In the 1950s two cricketers made the courageous and life-changing decision to leave behind their native South Africa and seek a new life in England.
Dennis Foreman and Basil D’Oliveira left their homeland because they wanted to play professional cricket. It was an option denied to them in South Africa because of apartheid.
Both were classed as ‘cape coloured’ and therefore not allowed to play in the top competitions against the best white players, although Dennis did manage to play three first-class games at home before leaving.
It was a bold move by the two young men, but both had the talent, character and strength of mind to fulfil their ambitions – and more. Dennis was snapped up by Sussex in 1954 and went on to have a 15-year career with the county. He also played over 200 games of professional football for Brighton and Hove Albion, scoring 69 goals, a dazzling career which is celebrated still – his name is carried on the front of a Brighton corporation bus.
Meanwhile, Basil settled in England and played for Middleton in the Lancashire League before joining Worcestershire, for whom he was to play 459 matches in 17 years, and representing England in 44 Tests and four ODIs. Many will recall the so called ‘D’Oliveira Affair’ which eventually led to South Africa’s exclusion from world cricket.
Foreman and D’Oliveira played against each other several times in England – indeed Dennis was bowled by Basil for a duck at Worcester in August 1966.
What is the significance of this in July 2025? Well, this week Bertie Foreman made his debut home for Worcestershire on loan from Sussex, in a team captained by Brett D’Oliveira. Some 60 years after their grandfathers left South Africa to find fame in England, their grandsons were playing in the same team in the County Championship.
Bertie told BBC Hereford and Worcester’s Dave Bradley: “I know granddad’s story, how he got a boat from South Africa, had a trial with Brighton and Hove Albion and got a contract with them. At the end of one summer he was invited to the cricket ground to have a hit, they signed him up and he ended up playing a lot of first-class cricket.
“It’s really cool playing with Brett. My dad remembers Basil playing against my grandad
“I wasn’t that old when grandad passed away but my brother Charlie was coached by him and remembers grandad saying how you should get your head down and sniff the ball and never play square until you’ve got past 20. He would have his head in his hands watching me bat recently!”
D’Oliveira, Worcestershire skipper and third generation of his family to play for the county said: “I didn’t know much about Bertie’s history before he joined us, but it’s a fascinating story, and says a lot about our grandfathers determination to play professional sport”.