16 Oct CSA MOURNS PASSING OF CRICKET STALWART, RECORD-KEEPER, AND HISTORIAN KRISH REDDY
JOHANNESBURG – Cricket South Africa (CSA) joins the cricketing community in mourning the passing of cricket stalwart, record-keeper, and historian, Krish Reddy. Reddy succumbed to coronary heart failure. He was 77.
Reddy was involved in the game as a player, administrator, selector, and historian, and was best-known for his dedication to collating and preserving the records of players who were otherwise unrecognised in segregated South Africa, and for telling their stories. These were recorded in his publications such as The Other Side, an anthology of black cricket in Natal. He also co-authored Black in Whites, a book published in 2002 on the struggles of cricketers of colour in KwaZulu-Natal.
He was also part of the panel of 100 players, writers, umpires, historians, and other watchers of the game from around the world who selected Wisden's five cricketers of the century.
Paying tribute to Reddy, CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki said: “Reddy ensured that the struggles of black cricketers were well-documented for posterity. He took the segregation of black players as a personal affront. His passion for telling stories of cricketers who were languishing in the margins set him apart as one with empathy and strong passion for an all-inclusive cricket.
“It is through his publications that the world cast a closer look at the wrongs that were visited on black cricket in South Africa. It is thanks to stalwarts like him that cricket in South Africa is now an inclusive sport. May his soul rest in peace.”
The Chairperson of the CSA Board, Lawson Naidoo, said: “The cricketing community has lost a gallant fighter for the recognition of black cricket in South Africa. Selfless, hard-working, and incredibly humble, Reddy co-authored several publications specifically on black cricket as a show of commitment to change the face of cricket in the country.
“It is through his dedication and insights that dignity was restored to black cricket. On behalf of the Board of Cricket South Africa, I send condolences to the Reddy family, KZN Cricket Union and multitudes of cricketers that he touched through his work and deeds.
“While cricket will be poorer without him, we take comfort in the volume of work he has left behind that tells the stories of those marginalised players and which allow us to honour and respect their legacies.”
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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Cricket South Africa (CSA), an affiliate of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), is the national governing body for the sport of cricket in South Africa and administers all aspects of South African cricket, men, and women, both in the professional and amateur sphere.