Cricket: Donald snaps as pressure mounts

By JERMAINE CRAIG

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa - Allan Donald is normally one of the most friendly, affable blokes around, but on Tuesday (SA time) his mood matched the scorching, steamy temperatures in this famous old North West town.

Donald has worked hard on his batting in recent years, but the chance of bowling at him is still what most young net bowlers clamour for at South African practice sessions, knowing, of course, that their chances of success are greatly increased against "Donald Duck".

A youngster at Potchefstroom on Tuesday was understandably delighted in clean bowling Donald in the nets, but the 35 year old wasn't in any mood to offer a polite "well-bowled".

Instead, a highly agitated Donald turned around and with his bat angrily hacked down all three stumps.

These are tough times for Donald and he's struggled to keep his emotions in check
Of course, it's not his batting that he should worry too much about; it's his form with ball in hand that has this week got him all worked up.

These are tough times for Donald and he's struggled to keep his emotions in check.

South Africa's fast bowling icon of the last decade has worked so hard to make his country's squad for what is his fourth and final World Cup, achieving that against the odds after he limped tearfully out of Test cricket a year ago.

He's now given himself a chance to forge a fond farewell, but after a bad game against the West Indies in South Africa's World Cup opener on Sunday that dream is in danger of becoming a nightmare.

At a critical time when South Africa were all over the Windies, Donald conceded 26 runs in his first five overs and a further 28 in his next four, easing the pressure on the islanders.

'I don't think one bad performance suddenly makes you a bad player'
All the talk, therefore, has centred this week on whether or not to drop him and bring into the team the multi-talented Andrew Hall.

Even at his advanced age there's no denying that Donald is still a classy bowler, but there's also no denying the fact that he isn't the bowler of old.

So whether to give him another chance is what the team's selection panel have mulled on ahead of Wednesday's Pool B game with Kenya.

The match has taken on more significance after South Africa's shock reverse against the Windies. Team coach Eric Simons and captain Shaun Pollock were both backing Donald on Tuesday, and Simons is keen to give him another run on Wednesday.

"I don't think one bad performance suddenly makes you a bad player," the coach said.

"We would have liked to have given him a really good run and then maybe later on given him a bit of a rest, but now there's a strong thought that he needs to bowl in a less pressurised situation."

"Allan's performed so well over the years," said Pollock. "Maybe he did not perform that well against the West Indies, but we're sure he can turn things around.

"He came up against guys who played really well and there's no need for alarm bells."

Despite what coach and captain say, there's little room for sentiment at this level with the World Cup at stake and today the powers that be may not give him that shot at redemption.

Nicky Boje, who conceded 24 runs in just three overs at Newlands, is the other contentious selection. A decision must be made whether Robin Peterson would be a better bet as the team's spinner.

South Africa have easily beaten Kenya seven out of seven times before, but Wednesday's selection is nevertheless critical as there is a need to gain momentum for the crucial clash against New Zealand at the Wanderers this weekend.

Pollock is complimentary of the Kenyans. "They've got good all-round strength and over the years have developed into a solid unit. They're a settled side and have a good middle order. Steve Tikolo, Maurice Odumbe and Thomas Odoyo have all played well against us."

But let's face it, South Africa should win this one without raising too much of a sweat.

Kenya's captain Tikolo is expecting a South African backlash after their West Indian disappointment and Simons is demanding it: "If I know this team at all I would expect them to come out really firing. Since our loss in the first game run-rate has also become an issue," he said.

"I would like to believe we will respond by not just winning, but doing so with the ruthless intensity we've spoken about throughout the season."

- INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS (SOUTH AFRICA)

World Cup schedule

Points table