Allan Donald - The White Lightening

It was English summer of 1998; the crowd at the Trent Bridge was on the edge of their chairs, witnessing an enthralling battle between bat and ball. The duel between Michael Atherton and Allan Donald, which is considered to be one of the finest spells of the Test Cricket in modern times, left everyone spellbound

Allan Donald's action was a classic one 

White zinc cream on lips, eyes lightened up and the ball ready to do nasty talks. That’s what the world has witnessed over the period of 12 years when the batsmen all over the world were rocked by the White Lightening.

Allan Donald was spotted in 1986 as a raw paceman, however, the world witnessed him for the first time in 1992 World Cup at Australia, he was fast, he was furious and he was ready to be part of one of the finest era of fast bowling (1992-2003). Donald took 13 wickets in the tournament and was among two players other than Jonty Rhodes who came in limelight.

Donald in 1992 Cricket World Cup

Donald didn’t require bouncy pitches to pick wickets, three months earlier on a historic Indian tour, which marked the return of South Africa to international cricket after 22 years, he picked five wickets on a flat Eden Garden pitch at Calcutta. However it was his performance at Port Elizabeth Test in December 1992 (12-139) which enhanced his reputation as match-winner. Two summers later, he scripted a remarkable victory for South Africa at Lords. Donald’s 5-74 ensure South Africa’s first victory at Lords since 1956.

Donald in his first match against India, at Eden Gardens, November 1991

Donald became South Africa’s biggest superstar. He was the face of new generation pacers who never feared to spit venom on batsmen face. It may be with a ball or with words. The Indians faced the majority of the brunt in the early years especially with the ball. In 1996, on a turning Motera pitch, Donald skittled the Indian batting line up with two firing spells in the Test. His 69-7 in the Test seemed like he continued to mock the Indians that he didn’t need the pitch to get them out. India won the test and series by 2-1, in spite of some inept batting.

Celebrating with Fannie De Villiers in Sydney Dressing room 1994

The Famous Sydney Test, where South Africa won by 5 runs, January 1994

Donald, however, was livid by whatever happened on Indian tour, He was on fire at the rebound tour. At Durban, he demolished the Indian team with a lot of pace and aggression, his bowling proved too hot to handle as he ripped apart Indian batting line up, with a figure of 9-54, in the match.

Donald was also a force to reckon in limited over games, He was one of the reasons why Hansie Cronje’s side was the most successful team between 1994-2000. He was the wicket-taker on whom Cronje relied to a great extent. His absence was reflected on various occasions. In 1994 Kepler Wessels team lost all six games in triangular series in Pakistan, Donald was not on the tour. The biggest blow was the quarterfinal of 1996, when South Africa made one of the biggest blunders, preferring spinner Paul Adams over Donald, a result the team which was dominant throughout the tournament was blown away at Karachi by Brian Lara special.

Famous Lords Test, 1994, South Africa's first win at cricket's Mecca after 38 years

August 1994 in 2nd ODI vs England 

Third Test vs England at Oval 1994

In late 1997, Donald returned to Australia where he has taken 13 wickets in the previous tour four years ago, scripting a historic win at Sydney. South Africa and Donald both were determined to win series in Australia. Donald took 9 wickets in the first test only to be denied by his own batsmen’s inept show. At Sydney, South Africa lost by an innings margin but Donald bowled one of the finest spells of fast bowling. He was all over Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh, beating them continuously and hitting them mercilessly. The nine-minute video on youtube [1] is available with Wisden mentioning it one of the most hostile and brutal fast bowling spells. What made it even more remarkable was Donald bowled the spell taking pain-killing injection on the foot.

vs England in 1995 Test Series 

The 1997-98 tour also consisted of triangular series apart from 3 Tests. South Africa stormed into Finals with 7 victories and a solitary loss. By the first final, they have defeated Australia five consecutive times, a special record by any visiting team to Australia. They, however, lost the last two finals (The best of 3) showing the mental block they had against Australia. Donald took 17 wickets in 9 matches and was crucial in the domination of the home side, until they faded away in the final stages.

 

The Famous Spell at Trent Bridge in 1998

Donald vs Atherton 1998, Trent Bridge 

This was the time between 1996-1999; When Donald was at his peak. He then blew up  Pakistan and Sri Lanka in-home summer of 1997-98, picking up 30 wickets in 5 Tests at a stunning average of 17.30 ( 16 against Pakistan and 14 against Sri Lanka )

Then came the tour which itched Donald’s name in South Africa’s history. The spell at fourth test at Trent Bridge is remembered as one of the greatest spells in the history of the game. Donald by that time had torn apart the English batting line up in previous Tests. By the start of the second inning, he has taken 24 wickets in the series, with three five-wicket hauls. On the eve when South Africa collapsed to surrender the position of strength in the test, Donald bowled with a lot of fire, aggression, and a will to take the fight against England.

Donald in his first Test vs West Indies in 1992 

Kieth Autherton's stump's pegged back by Donald, April 1992

The English batsmen were well aware that 247 was not easy to chase. Donald had Atherton hoping and guessing in the crease, Atherton at that juncture had no clue what was coming next and Donald who with a barrage of bouncers, would follow next as yorker at the root of the stump, would bowl the next at rib cage and the next on the throat, looking to blow the head. His eyes burn like fire and he was at his smearing best. He even had got Atherton gloving it to Boucher only to be denied by a dubious decision from Steve Dunne. Atherton played a major role in winning the Test. South Africa lost the next Test at Headingly and lost a series in which they were leading 1-0, till the start of the fourth test. However the biggest heartbreak of his career was still waiting.

Donald was also a force in limited-overs, here in 1995-96 ODI series vs England

The Famous moment when UAE captain Sultan Zarwani came to bat without a helmet against Donald in World Cup 1996

South Africa was one of the main contenders of the 1999 cricket world cup held in England; they played like winners until they met Australia in the semi-final. Lance Klusner who was in the form of his life took them on the brink before a horrible mix up between Klusner and Donald resulted in the biggest heartbreaks of South African history. The picture of Donald stranded on halfway with Australian celebrating an unbelievable victory became one of the iconic stills of 50 over the game.

He returned with a bang against England, taking 22 wickets in 4 Tests, however, this was the time when the age had started catching Donald, he was suffering one injury after another. In 2002, he decided to retire from Test cricket, after breaking down against Australia, thereby ending a glorious Test career, in which he picked 330 Test wickets in 72 Tests, then the highest by any South African cricketer.

A young Allan Donald during a net session on 21st March 1992 before Semifinal of 1992 WC against England

With an ambition to win a homeworld cup, he continued for another year, albeit only to be limited by injuries. He only played 3 games in the 2003 World Cup at home and ultimately said goodbye after another World Cup heartbreak.

Donald was cheerful character outside the ground - here on England tour 1994

June 1994 on England Tour

During one of the games against visiting Australia, March 1994

with Brian McMillan at Leeds, Headingly, 2nd Test 1994

Donald's Autobiography

Over the years his record has been overtaken but there are many who still think that with 602 International wickets, Donald was the best ever fast bowler to have donned South African Test cap.

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[1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGBS-HwG55s