Western Province Cricket Association and Jive Saint Augustine Cricket Club are joining forces to host an Inaugural Gala Dinner and Youth Cricket Experience Day as part of a legacy project in honour of Basil D'Oliveira.
This will take place in the period when the Proteas and England play for the Basil D'Oliveira Test Series Trophy in January 2016 in Cape Town.
Funds raised will go towards building a Basil D'Oliveira Clubhouse at Elfindale and also provide support to Western Province Cricket Association and all of the member clubs.
D'Oliveira played for Worcestershire from, 1965 to 1980 before becoming head coach and his grandson, Brett, is spending the winter with St. Augustine after signing a new three year contract with Worcestershire.
A media release from Western Province and St. Augustine reads: "The name Basil D'Oliveira stands for both excellence on the cricket field as well as the highest levels of sportsmanship. The world-at-large acknowledges that he was the irreversible catalyst for change in South African sport and cricket in particular.
"The hitherto abnormal and established order of cricket in the then South Africa was strongly challenged after the cancelled England tour of 1968-69 and Basil’s role in creating the pleasing cricket atmosphere, that we as South Africans enjoy today cannot be underestimated.
"It is for this reason that Basil’s name is fittingly inscribed on the trophy for all Test match series between England and South Africa and we are naturally proud that we have held this trophy for an extended period since 2008.
"If ever there was any doubt of Basil’s contribution to cricket and sport at large, then going forward, these legacy projects will derive real benefit and value to cricket and the communities which the sport serves.
"We are striving towards creating a long-term sustainability for this project by activating for years to come when this Test Series takes place.
"The Test at PPC Newlands over New Year is one of the world’s iconic events in Test match cricket and this Gala Dinner Banquet and Cricket Day Experience will be a wonderful meeting place for cricket and its friends to welcome in the New Year.
"The Gala Dinner will take place at the Grand Arena, GrandWest Entertainment Complex on January 7 and the Youth Cricket Experience Day will take place at the home of Jive Saint Augustine Cricket Club, Elfindale on January 8."
