Legendary South African-Indian fast bowler Salim Bhagalia has died at the age of 90 in his home town of Ermelo, never having played for the country due to apartheid-era separation of the sport by race and international isolation.
Bhagalia was one of the best fast bowlers produced in the Indian community in South Africa in the early 1940's. He was a fearsome left-arm bowler and captained the provincial Eastern Transvaal Cricket Union besides playing club cricket for Ermelo and Krugersdorp Old Boys.
He represented The Wits Union, Transvaal and South African Indians. He was also a good lower-order batsman.
Bhagalia played in many of the bi-ennial tournaments and was instrumental in his province winning the tournament in 1951 in Cape Town.
A bad knee injury resulted in his eventually retiring at the ripe old age of 59.
"He was truly a warrior of the game and on behalf of the CSA family I extend our sincere condolences to his family," commented CSA Acting CEO Jacques Faul.