Former fast bowler Allan Donald is understandably hopeful the Proteas will win the World Cup in the United Kingdom later this year. 

Donald played in the 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003 World Cups – and has since worked with the Proteas as a bowling coach. He is currently Kent’s assistant coach.

‘To have played and represented your country for four World Cups has been brilliant, but not having won any of them has probably been the most disappointing thing of all,’ Donald told ESPNcricinfo.

‘I hope this South African side pulls it through, for the country, it needs that sort of thing, so I really hope that they can do something quite special.’

Donald was infamously involved in the run-out that ended South Africa’s bid for a berth in the 1999 World Cup final.

With nine runs required from the final over of a tense encounter against Australia in Birmingham, all-rounder Lance Klusener struck consecutive boundaries from the opening two deliveries to reduce the target to one.

A dot ball followed, before a calamitous error in communication between Klusener and tail-ender Donald resulted in a run-out.

The match was tied, which was enough to ensure the Proteas’ exit and Australia’s advance to the final.

‘My memory that will always stand out is the 1999 World Cup, not because I was run out in the semi-final, but the team that I played with, that team had the belief,’ he added.

‘I just knew that team had the ability to win the World Cup for sure. The disappointing fact of what happened was just a real tragedy.’

Photo: Getty