Cricket South Africa is mourning the loss of Cecil Abrahams, who played with Basil D’Oliveira’s famous South African non-racial team against Kenya in home-and-away tours in the 1950s, and who has passed away in the United Kingdom.
Abrahams, who died in Manchester on August 15 aged 75, was an outstanding fast-bowling all-rounder who played club cricket for Trafalgar in Cape Town and Western Province under the auspices of the South African Cricket Board of Control.
During the tour by Kenya in South Africa, Abrahams took 3/166 in the three Tests, and scored 135 runs at an average of 33.5. In the follow-up tour to Kenya, he headed the batting with 614 runs (highest score 139) at an average of 47.23. His bowling figures were 37 wickets for 514 runs at an average of 13.89.
South Africa won the first series 2-0 and the second 3-0.
Abrahams left South Africa to play in the Lanchashire Leagues, where he ran out with much success for Milnrow, Radcliffe and Oldham.
He visited Cape Town regularly, where he coached junior and senior cricketers.
Gerald Majola, CEO of Cricket South Africa, said: ”On behalf of Cricket South Africa, I would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Cecil Abrahams. He was an outstanding all-round sportsman, and cricket is most grateful that he chose our game as his main sport.
”Apartheid denied him the chance to reach his full potential as a South African international cricketer, yet he has left a mark that history will record for posterity.”
Abrahams leaves his wife, Cynthia, seven children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. — Sapa