Allan Donald
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Allan Anthony Donald, (born October 20, 1966, Bloemfontein) was one of South Africa's best ever cricketers, specifically one of their finest bowlers.
He made his Test debut on 18 April 1992 alongside fellow debutante Hansie Cronje, losing to the West Indies in Barbados by 52 runs, but taking 2-67 and 4-77 (including Brian Lara for 64). His final Test started on 22 February 2002 against Australia at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. It was a disastrous result, South Africa losing to Australia by an innings and 360 runs, Donald taking only 1 wicket for 77 runs.
Known as 'white lightning', he is remembered as a fearsome fast bowler, scowling and aggressive, with a famous horizontal white line of sunscreen across his cheeks and nose. He finished his career as South Africa's record wicket-taker with 330 Test wickets at an average of 22.25, and claimed 272 one-day international wickets at an average of 21.78.
In the 1992 cricket World Cup opening game for South Africa, umpire Brian Aldridge from New Zealand gave Geoff Marsh not out on the first ball of the match bowled by Allan Donald, after he edged the ball to wicket-keeper Dave Richardson.
In 1997 he came under intense scrutiny by the international cricket media after he used racially abusive language against India's Rahul Dravid in the finals of a triseries.
In the 1999 cricket World Cup he, with Lance Klusener, were the final batsmen in a historic semi-final against Australia, which ended in a tie, denying them the opportunity to play Pakistan in the final.
Now retired from international cricket, he still captains his provincial team Free State and works as a commentator for the BBC (Test Match Special, TMS).
External link
- Cricinfo profile (http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/PLAYERS/RSA/D/DONALD_AA_03002011/)