“The British used cricket to carry out their racial policy in their colonies.” Justify by giving examples.
The following examples justify the given statement
(i) In British colonies, playing cricket was considered a sign of superior social and racial status.
(ii) Afro-Caribbean population was discouraged from participating in organised club cricket. The club cricket was dominated by the white plantation owners and their servants.
(iii) The first non-white club in West Indies was
established towards the end of the 19th century and even in this case, its members were light-skinned Mulattos.
(iv) Cricket in colonial India was organised on the principle of race and religion. Cricket tournament was played by five teams-the Europeans, the Parsis, the Hindus, the Muslims and the Rest.
(v) The colonial favour of world cricket during the 1950s and 1960s can be seen from the fact that ’ England and other White Commonwealth countries, Australia and New Zealand, continued to play Test cricket with South Africa. South Africa was a racist state, which barred non-whites from representing in Test matches.
Thus, it can be concluded that the British used cricket to carry out their racial policy in their colonies.