Allan Donald is the prototype for the modern South African fast bowler because of his ability to intimidate and decimate top orders and destroy the tail.
At the peak of his powers, Donald was the kind of bowler who could turn a series around. We look at five times Donald took an ODI series by storm.
5. KCA Centenary tournament 1996, Kenya – 14 wickets in four matches
- The quadrangular series in Kenya famously launched the career of Shahid Afridi, who smashed a then ODI-record 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka. Afridi proved to be no match for Donald in the final and the South African quick ended as the leading wicket-taker in the series. Donald tore hosts Kenya apart with his 6-23 and, in the final, it would be ‘White Lightning’ that put Pakistan’s batting power on ice. Donald was named man of the series for his efforts.
4. 1999 World Cup in the UK – 16 wickets in nine matches
- South Africa’s 1999 World Cup ended with a moment Donald will never forget, but what does often go unmentioned was how well the quick had been bowling at the tournament. Donald shredded hosts England’s middle order to set up an emphatic group-stage win for South Africa and took 4-32 during Australia’s innings in the semi-final. Only Lance Klusener (17 in 1999) and Morne Morkel (17 in 2015) have taken more wickets than Donald at a World Cup.
READ: Donald recalls being at his peak
3. Titan Cup 1996, India – 17 wickets in seven matches
- Donald proved he could be lethal in all conditions, even on the dusty tracks of India. The fast bowler pulled back an Australian effort that seemed bound for a 250-plus total to set up a two-wicket win. Donald ensured that Australia slipped from 212-5 to 215 all out. South Africa lost the final after winning all six of their round-robin matches. The series arguably established Jonty Rhodes as a superstar in India.
2. Carlton & United Series in 1997-8, Australia – 17 wickets in six matches
- The triangular series that took place in December 1997 and January 1998 in Australia will be remembered as a competitive and exciting series. Donald was consistently among the wicket-takers in the series but delivered his best performances against New Zealand in Brisbane and Australia in Perth, taking 4-43 and 4-29, respectively. South Africa twice beat New Zealand by the narrowest of margins and on the second occasion, it was Donald who knocked Stephen Fleming’s men off their course to victory.
1. One-Day Triangular Series in 1997, South Africa – 18 wickets in eight matches
- South Africa were in strong form in the triangular series with significant fluctuation in performance levels from India, who tied and lost a match to Zimbabwe during the course of the three-week tournament. Donald played a big part in South Africa winning the final, a rain-affected affair in Durban. Donald ran through the Indian tail after Shaun Pollock and Klusener accounted for the middle order. The 18 wickets taken by Donald in this series stands as the record for a South African in a single ODI series.
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