By Brain Thomas
In the early 90′ s a star was in the making. Allen Anthony Donald, born in South Africa, tagged as White Lighting, and to some critics as the Pace Devil, made headlines in the cricketing fraternity.
In the 1992 World, played in the southwest Pacific, he guided South Africa to the semi-finals, and that too after his countries long lay off from International cricket due to the Apartheid era, which ruined the Nations Cricket.
What was so good about this medium-built, strong-shouldered individual, who sported sun cream across his nose, that won him so many accolades.
He was lighting quick, more often than not hit the right areas. He got batsman jumping and taking cover at his rib cage and helmet-based bounce. He made the new ball do the talking with late swing and movement. Bowled to his field, with awesome pace and accuracy.
If the batter, lacked footwork or a fisher outside his off stump or prodded at the back of a length delivery, he will be history for sure.
In 72 Test Matches, he scalped 330 victims with an economy rate of 2.83 , whilst in the shorter version critics state he was a touch expensive with an economy rate of 4.15 , however, he sent back 272 batsmen to the hunch in 164 appearances for the protease.
There were only two batsmen in world cricket who tormented this great bowler. Sachin Tendulkar of India and Brian Lara of the West Indies.
Satchin somehow took a liking to South Africa’s bowling cordon. In 15 Test Matches, the genius made 1, 161 runs against this deadly bowling attack at an average of 46.44 , whilst in the One days, he recorded 1,453 runs in 40 Test at an average of 38.23.
During South Africa’s tour of India, and that too against a strong Indian batting line up he accounted for 20 Indian scalps, which is a noteworthy record considering the batting strength of the Mighty Indians.
Donald stated that in his books the most difficult batsman to bowl to is the little Master. He adds that Satchin was technically very correct, never seen any batsmen play the ball so late and to perfection, his head position, hand-eye coordination, and his feet movement was the best he had ever seen.
Allen Donald also added, if you let Satchin spend 30 minutes at the wickets, you are in for a long day.
Donald is a fast bowling coach, but to emulate his skill levels and fitness levels is a lot to ask for.
To get it right with Satchin is not easy stated Allen, he loved playing against this genius, to get him out needs a very special, and unplayable delivery quoted Allen Donald.
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