Sporting icons : Allan Donald - glittering career of Protea fast bowler & video

 

Allan Donald is a former South African cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the sport. Here are some key details about him:

- Full Name: Allan Anthony Donald

- Date of Birth: October 20, 1966

- Place of Birth: Bloemfontein, South Africa

- Playing Role: Fast bowler

- International Debut: He made his debut for the South African national cricket team in 1991.

Some additional information about his career and achievements:

- Nicknamed the "White Lightning" for his express pace and aggressive bowling style.

- Known for consistently bowling at high speeds and generating significant bounce and movement off the pitch.

- Played 72 Test matches for South Africa, taking 330 wickets at an average of 22.25.. and a highly impressive strike rate of below 50 . 

- Claimed 272 wickets in 164 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at an average of 21.78.

- Was a key figure in South Africa's resurgence in international cricket after their re-admittance following the end of apartheid.  Donald bowled very fast and  took 5 wickets on South Africa's readmission to world cricket after Apartheid era in front of a packed Eden Gardens crowd at Kolkata as South Africa ran India very close . 

- Played in several Cricket World Cups for South Africa.

- Received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to cricket, including Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1993. Donald was recently inducted to the cricket hall of fame a few years ago along with Sachin Tendulkar. 

- After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching and served as the bowling coach for the South African national team.

Allan Donald's legacy in the world of cricket is marked by his outstanding bowling skills and his pivotal role in the South African cricketing history.

Allan Donald was renowned for his exceptional bowling skills, which made him one of the most feared fast bowlers in the history of cricket. Here are some of the key aspects of his bowling skills:

**Pace**: Donald consistently bowled at high speeds, often exceeding 90 miles per hour (145 kilometers per hour). His express pace made it challenging for batsmen to react in time.

**Swing and Seam Movement**: He had the ability to generate both conventional and reverse swing, making the ball move in the air late. He could also seam the ball off the pitch, which added to his effectiveness.

**Bounce**: His deliveries had the ability to extract significant bounce from the pitch, which troubled batsmen, especially on fast and bouncy tracks.

**Accuracy**: Despite his pace, Donald was known for his accuracy. He could consistently land the ball in the right areas, putting pressure on batsmen to play every ball.

**Aggression**: Donald's aggressive and intimidating demeanor on the field often unsettled batsmen. He was not afraid to bowl short-pitched deliveries and engage in verbal duels to gain a psychological edge.

**Consistency**: Throughout his career, he maintained a high level of performance and was a consistent wicket-taker in both Test matches and One-Day Internationals.

**Variation**: He had a good mix of deliveries, including the yorker, bouncer, and slower balls, which added depth to his bowling repertoire.

**Ability to Take Wickets**: Donald had the knack of taking crucial wickets, including top-order batsmen. He played a significant role in breaking partnerships.

 **Adaptability**: He was effective in various conditions, whether it was on fast and bouncy tracks or slower subcontinent pitches.

Allan Donald's combination of raw pace, skillful swing and seam movement, and aggressive approach made him a formidable fast bowler who left a lasting impact on the sport of cricket.

Watch the below video of Donald's brilliant spell of fast bowling vs England at the Wanderers in 1999.