The background
On 16th March 1970, The Oval cricket ground in London, England is seen being ringed with barbed wire, in an attempt to prevent vandalism by anti-apartheid demonstrators during a proposed South African cricket team’s tour in England. Six days later, on 22 March 1970, the tour was cancelled by the Cricket Council of England. South Africa were scheduled to play Surrey in the Oval in July before their fifth Test also fixed for the same venue from 13 August 1970.
What the photo reveals
Analysis
Photographer
Leonard Burt of Central Press/Getty Images
An afterword
Six days after this photo was taken, on 22 March 1970, the proposed South Africa tour was cancelled by the Cricket Council of England. The move had followed strong pressure from the British Home Secretary James Callaghan. South Africa’s Minister of Sport Frank Waring was furious at the announcement. “It amounts to bowing down to irresponsible elements that manifest a total disregard for sport and the rights of others,” he had announced.