Renowned author Ashwin Desai reflects on his childhood experiences watching cricket matches at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, during the apartheid era. In his memoir, Desai recounts attending a 1970 Test match between Australia and South Africa, where he witnessed a remarkable innings by Barry Richards. The young Desai was seated in the non-white section, separated from the white spectators by a green fence. His mother had packed him cheese and tomato sandwiches, which he enjoyed while watching Richards bat.
Richards' innings was a masterclass in batting, with 140 runs scored from 164 balls at a strike rate of over 85. Desai vividly remembers Richards' cover drives, cuts, and pirouettes down the wicket. The young fan was in awe of Richards' skill, which seemed effortless and textbook-perfect. As Richards approached his century, the crowd grew excited, and Desai recalls feeling a sense of pride and wonder at witnessing such a great player.
However, Desai's experience was also marked by the harsh realities of apartheid. The non-white section of the stadium was poorly maintained, and Desai had to contend with ants crawling on his sandwiches. When he sought relief in the tea room, he found it was not available to non-white spectators. A kind gesture from a white cricket fan, who offered him a sausage with sticky sauce, provided some comfort.
Desai's father accompanied him to the match on the third or fourth day, and the young fan was eager to get Richards' autograph. However, his father gently discouraged him, aware of the racial boundaries that existed in cricket at the time. This moment marked a turning point for Desai, who began to understand the complexities of cricket in apartheid South Africa.
The Desai family eventually stopped attending Kingsmead matches due to the boycott of "apartheid cricket." Instead, they began playing cricket at Springfield, a local ground with makeshift facilities. The experience was vastly different from Kingsmead, with huge holes in the pitch and makeshift fields. Despite these challenges, Desai and his father enjoyed playing cricket together, bonding over their shared love of the game.
Years later, in 1992, Desai and his father attended an India-South Africa match at Old Kingsmead. The experience was emotional, as they sat together, reminiscing about their past experiences and the struggles they had faced. Desai's father was visibly moved, embracing old friends and reflecting on the dignity with which they had played the game despite the difficult circumstances.
The memoir ultimately explores the themes of cricket, family, and identity. Desai reflects on the lessons he learned from his father about the game and about life. As his father's health declined due to Parkinson's disease, Desai came to appreciate the parallels between cricket and life, where a reliable partner can make all the difference. The story is a poignant tribute to the enduring bond between fathers and sons, both on and off the cricket field.
Key points
- Cricket played a significant role in bridging racial divides in South Africa during the apartheid era.
