Correcting the Record: Non-racial first-class matches in South Africa 1971/72 to 1990/91

Compiled by Keith Walmsley

Published in association with Cricket South Africa

For our headline offering this quarter, the ACS has joined forces with one of the principal governing bodies in world cricket to produce a landmark publication that shines light on the history and achievements of the cricketers from South Africa’s majority population who were forced to play under the harsh strictures imposed by the former apartheid regime.

It is also a book that marks the temporary convergence of two series that have been in preparation thousands of miles apart.

First, it is the twelfth volume in the ACS’s series of books giving the printed scores of matches which have not previously been readily available in printed form. It contains the scorecards of the 223 matches played by ‘non-racial’ sides in South Africa between 1971/72 and 1990/91 which were granted first-class status in the late 1990s. It includes detailed records arising from these matches, brief biographical details and career records of those who played in them, and 16 pages of photos.

It is also a volume in the series ‘The History of South African Cricket Retold’, which is being edited in South Africa by Professor Andre Odendaal. Because of the importance of these matches to the wider history of cricket in the country, this book has been prepared in conjunction with Professor Odendaal, and is now published by the ACS in association with Cricket South Africa. It includes an important introduction setting out the history and significance of the publication of these scores, as well as messages of support from senior representatives of Cricket South Africa.