Empire Cricket Booklet

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GOOLAM VAHED AND VISHNU PADAYACHEE

by creed, Nationality or otherwise', many coloureds did not participate in 1913 because they opposed the inclusion of Africans. A writer to Latest considered this ironical, given that many of them were members of the Cape-based African Political Organisation (APO) 'which claims to champion the rights of all civilised coloured people'. 76 DDICU's team to Kimberley in 1913 represented 'Natal'. A Finance Committee raised funds in various ways. They staged 'Ali Baba and the FortyRobbers' and met at the home of Parsee Rustomjee where local traders pledged financial support. According toRustomjee, the team represented 'the community' and it was the duty of merchants to 'assist it to do justice to the reputation of Natal Indians'. Albert

activities and contributions from traders and prepared detailed accounts which were provided to every subscriber. The secretary was clearly proud of the meticulous record keeping: 'Your Union had this account in detail printed and published among the subscribers to the Fund and this step cannot but win for your union the confidence of the public,' Sullaphen reported in his AnnualReport for 1913. Elites, trader and educated Indians dominated the thirteen-man team. Three of the top five batsmen in the local league did not make the team: P.Ramjohn (Greyville),R. L. Munpath (Pirates) and C.R. Frank (Sydenham). Despite protests that Bughwan did not merit a place, as selector, sponsor and president of DDICU, he could not be omitted. Outstanding players

Officials of the South African Coloured Cricket Board pose with the Barnato Memorial trophy at Kimberley in 1913

like Hoosen Buckas and G. D. Lalla were omitted because they could not afford their train fare. 78 The team represented a 'Who's Who' of elite society during the early decades of the twentieth century. Bughwan typified this elite. He was the captain, selector and president of DDICU. He was born in Durban in 1874, where he was educated. He joined the family firm Bughwan and Co., better known as

Christopher urged merchants to 'drown the cry that they took away the wealth of Natal to India' by contributing freely. In keeping with cricket tradition, blazers were compulsory for players who had to pay for them or forfeit their place in the team. The blazer had a green body with gold braid, which were the national colours of white South Africa.7 7 The finance committee collected £96 pounds through fundraising