16 Facts About Percy Sonn

Percival 'Percy' Henry Frederick Sonn was a South African lawyer and cricket administrator.

Percy Sonn was the first ICC president from Africa, serving until his early death.

Percy Sonn was born in Oudtshoorn, 350 km east of Cape Town, Cape Province in what was then the Union of South Africa, one of seven brothers.

Percy Sonn was educated at Belgravia Senior Secondary School, and read law at the University of the Western Cape.

Percy Sonn worked as a public prosecutor, and as a legal adviser to the South African Police Service, becoming a senior counsel, acting judge, and deputy director of public prosecutions.

Percy Sonn was previously chief executive officer of a forensic investigation company.

Percy Sonn formed and headed the Directorate of Special Operations, responsible for investigating serious offences, including organised crime and drug trafficking.

Percy Sonn played as an off-spinner for Maitland and Parow Cricket Union.

Percy Sonn started out in cricket administration at his local club in Belville, in Cape Town, because he was virtually the only person at the club who could read and write, moving on to become vice president of the non-white Western Province Cricket Board under Hassan Howa from 1974 to 1983, and then president from 1990 to 1992.

Percy Sonn was a vice-president of the racially segregated South African Cricket Board.

Percy Sonn played a crucial role when South Africa returned to world cricket after the fall of apartheid in 1991, and was president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa for three years until 2003.

Percy Sonn advocated the quota system, to increase the representation of non-white players in the South African cricket team.

Percy Sonn overruled the selectors in 2002, directing that Justin Ontong should play against Australia instead of Jacques Rudolph.

Percy Sonn became vice-president of the ICC in 2004, and was due to succeed Ehsan Mani as the sixth president of the ICC in June 2005, but Mani's term of office was extended by one year, and Percy Sonn finally took office in 2006.

Percy Sonn was admitted to intensive care after complications following minor colon surgery the previous day.

Percy Sonn was survived by his wife Sandra, and their two sons and one daughter.