FAREWELL MICHAEL DOMAN

CRICKET South Africa (CSA) said it had heard with shock and sadness of the sudden death of Michael Doman.

“Michael made a big contribution to cricket, first as a player, and later as a journalist,” said CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe.

“He was a true professional whose writings were highly respected by both players and administrators. On behalf of the CSA family, I extend our deepest sympathy to his family, his friends and his many colleagues in the cricketing and media world.”

Doman had been the long-time cricket writer for the Cape Argus and Independent Media and more recently had held positions as the Cape Argus Sports Editor and Cape Sports Co-ordinator for Independent Media.

Independent Media said that Doman had suffered from diabetes for many years and was admitted to hospital last week, where his condition rapidly worsened. His brother, Anthony, confirmed his passing on Monday morning.

According to Independent Media, Doman was an accomplished provincial cricketer who, with the likes of non-racial sports icon Saait Magiet, was a member of the Western Province Cricket Board team who were the 1979/80 Howa Bowl Champions.

Head of Independent Media Sport, Jermaine Craig, described Doman as a fine journalist who led Independent Media’s cricket coverage.

“He came from a proud lineage of journalists who left an indelible mark on our company, with his father Ted Doman a revered former Cape Herald Editor,” Craig said. “As head of our Cape region, and as a senior member of our Independent Media Sport leadership team, Michael was in cricket parlance ‘a safe pair of hands’ in the slip cordon in an industry where the ball was often flying off the edges. “His professionalism, humility, calm demeanour and silent but strong leadership will be missed and we extend our most sincere condolences to his family.”

The Cape Argus tweeted: “Today, we are saddened to announce the passing of a gentle soul, a legendary sportsman, a revered wordsmith, a colleague and friend, Michael Doman.”

Colleague Ashfak Mohamed tweeted: “Just heard about the passing of a giant of non-racial sport and a colleague, Michael Doman. I spoke to him last week about a pic of the 1979/80 WP Howa Bowl champions, in which he sat next to Saait Magiet. In true Michael fashion, he just smiled. RIP.”

Doman is survived by his wife Lorelle Bell and three sons.