The Politics of South African Cricket

The sport of cricket has particular political connotations as it embraces an ethos that is symbolic of a wider-held belief system. Sport is subject to influences far beyond the playing field. Politics is also subject to the same social and economic influences. The popular and widespread view that sport and politics do not mix emanates from conservative ideology. Focusing on the sports boycott as a political strategy, Jon Gemmell analyses the relationship between sport and politics through an historical analysis of South African cricket. He argues convincingly that cricket assisted the reform process by undermining the legitimacy of the apartheid regime.

The Politics of South African Cricket analyses the relationship between politics and sport, in particular cricket, in South Africa. South African Cricket embraces an ethos that is symbolic of a wider held belief system and as such has distinctive political connotations in the region.Sport in South Africa is certainly influenced by forces beyond the playing field, but politics too can be influenced by the social and economic force of sport.Focusing on the sports boycott as a political strategy, Jon Gemmell analyses the relationship between sport and politics through a historical analysis of South African cricket. He employs case studies to explore the relationship between politics and South African cricket and argues convincingly that cricket assisted the reform process by undermining the legitimacy of the apartheid regime.

Jon Gemmell received his BA in Social and Economic History and his PhD in Politics from Leicester University and currently teaches sociology and history at Kennet School, Thatcham, UK.