5 Lesser Known Facts about Allan Donald

It’s Allan Donald’s birthday tomorrow, the south African pacer is considered one of the greatest fast bowlers in test cricket. Still contributing to the game, Donald has been one of the most sort after pace bowlers of all time! He was one of the fastest and the best test bowlers of his time and was at the top of ICC ranking 1998.He has represented South Africa for 4 world cups. The Furious man turns 48 today! Let’s wish him and learn a little more about him, some facts that we hardly know or have heard about him.

#1 White Lightning

Donald was nicknamed “White Lightning”. The African pacer was known to be fearsome and dangerous. He used to be aggressive, with white cream around his cheeks and nose. He was remembered as the fastest bowler in the 1992 world cup and because of his look and aggression, he came to be known as “White Lightning”.

His autobiography is also named after his nick name.

#2 Racism Allegations

Donald was under much scrutiny in 1997 for racism allegations on Rahul Dravid. He was accused of racially abusing Dravid during the finals of the ODI series.Donald has described this incident very clearly in his autobiography, “in the middle of a noisy, partisan atmosphere, with the final in the balance, I got involved in an incident that has since caused me a lot of grief, leading to accusations that I am a racist.”

According to Donald, this is what he had said to Dravid, “This isn't such an easy game” and the cameras were up close and the lips were read.

He says that after that, he hasn’t thought of the incident again in his life.

#3 Accent

Though Donald was a Protea, he was known for his Birmingham accent. This was mainly because of his long stay at Edgbaston playing for Warwickshire. He now commentates for South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) in their coverage of South Africa's home Tests.

#4 First to 300 wickets and a rare record!

Donald became the first South African to capture 300 wickets in test matches. He achieved this feat. on 17th November 2000 against New Zealand. He might be the first protea to reach the 300 mark, but he wasn’t the quickest South African to do this.He ended is his career with 330 wickets.

Donald has undeer his belt the 10000th bowled dismissal in test cricket! Also, he has the second longest streak of dismissing the same batsman consecutively. Donald got Sril Lanka’s UC Hathurusingha for 7 consecutive times in all internationals. Shane warne has the longest streak of 8 wickets against AG Prince of South Africa.

#5 One of the Most Aggressive Players

Donald was considered one of the most aggressive players of his time! He has had many instances to describe this fearsome attitude on the field. One of the most famous instance is the 1998 test match at Trent Bridge, where Donald and Michael Atherton were involved in a bouncer face off. Donald initially bowled Atherton a delivery which caught his glove but was given not out, Donald thus, was involved in a chat with the batsman and said, “cheat”. After this, Donald bowled him 3 consecutive 90 MPH bouncers, but Atherton was immovable.

Atherton gave his Glove to Donald at his benefit year auction and signed and circled the red mark on the glove which was still remarkably visible!One of the most intense period of play!