Time to remember (26 November 1998)

26 November 1998

Time to remember

By Tony Becca

When the first Test between the West Indies and South Africa gets going at the famous Wanderers this morning, the emotion will be such for a few people that tears may trickle down their cheeks.

Back in the mid 1960s when the two teams were rated the best in the world, apartheid kept them apart and the world never had the opportunity to know which was better - the West Indies with the likes of Gary Sobers and Rohan Kanhai, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith, plus Lance Gibbs, or South Africa with such as Graeme Pollock and Eddie Barlow, Peter Pollock and Mike Proctor.

More importantly, these great players, some of them numbered among the best of all time, never had the opportunity to test their skills against each other and for Conrad Hunte - the outstanding West Indies opening batsman of the period, and Ali Bacher - the South African captain when they were banned from the game - it was a disappointment which not even time can heal.

Conrad Hunte said: "When I think of the South African side of the 1960s going into the 1970s and remember Graeme Pollock, Peter Pollock, Eddie Barlow, Colin Bland, Denis Lindsay, Mike Proctor, and then Barry Richards, they had a fantastic side - a side which compared with ours. We had Rohan Kanhai, Gary Sobers himself, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, myself at number one, and Lance Gibbs.

"I think those teams were evenly matched and had it been possible politically for us to play, I reckon that would have been the series of the century. You had superstars on both sides, the players' technique was so excellent and it would have been a great contest. It was sad that it did not take place."

Ali Bacher said: "I think it is a tragedy politically in our history that we never played the West Indies. Our players always respected your players, they were such great cricketers, we were in awe of them - probably more so than any other country. It was a tragedy that we did not play each other. Yours was a great team, and ours, well certainly the one in 1970 is the best this country has ever had. It would have been a great contest."

Today will be a touching day for both people - for Hunte who has been working with the young cricketers of South Africa for the past nine years, and for Bacher who serves as the managing director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa.

"I feel as if I am going to open the innings," said Hunte with a laugh that rang around the Wanderers stadium. "Seriously though, I am excited, I am looking forward to it with great anticipation. These guys, our guys, have a great opportunity to show the black South Africans what they can do. It is an opportunity we never had."

"I think this is the most important tour even in this country," Said Bacher. "It goes beyond bat and ball, there are political reasons, there are social reasons and there are inspirational reasons for young kids in the townships. We know they will marvel at the greatness of your players and that they will appreciate their skills. I can't wait for it to start. This has been my dream come true."

Who will the black South Africans support?

Bacher feels that although they love the West Indies, and although they will cheer for Lara, Walsh and company, their support will be for South Africa - "for Hansie (Cronje) and his boys". And so too does Hunte. "Oh yes, they love us, but they are South Africans. We have to remember that."

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner (https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)