Former Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald has been inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame.

Donald was the first South African to take 300 and 200 wickets in ODI and Test competition, respectively. Between 1998 and 1999, he was the number one-ranked Test bowler for almost 600 consecutive days.

‘Iit is a prestigious award and something that you can’t take lightly. I thank the ICC for the huge honour,’ said Donald.

‘It all immediately takes you back to where you started. The reflection is of such a nature that everything that you have done in your career since you were a little boy starts to creep into your head. There are so many people to thank who have influenced my life – as mentors, as coaches.

The 52-year-old Donald is currently working with Kent in English county cricket – and reflected on a series of mentors during a prolific 19-year playing career, including former Proteas coach Bob Woolmer.

‘If I start with Free State cricket back in the day, then the legendary Hansie Cronje’s dad Mr Ewie Cronje, helped me through school and college cricket and then there was my uncle Des Donald who was very hard on me. Bob Woolmer was a mentor, we clicked in international cricket and he showed me the road to success,’ he added.

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