00:00Alan Donald, with his high arm action and rhythmic run-up, was truly poetry in motion
00:05for those who had the privilege of watching him in full flow.
00:09It was a sight to behold.
00:11The way he could rip through batting orders, whether at the top of the innings or striking
00:16vital blows in the middle, made him one of the deadliest fastballers of his time.
00:21In the first test at Cape Town in March 1998 against Sri Lanka, Alan Donald once again
00:27displayed his craft, returning figures of 3 for 66 in 21.3 overs, including 7 made in.
00:34It was a spell that embodied control, pace and manners.
00:38Hallmark of the man famously nicknamed White Lightning.
00:57I know he likes, he plays this way, but this is just a little bit too ambitious.
01:04He just throws everything he's got at it.
01:06And an uncontrolled shot, gets the nick, new ball, extra bounce, and a nice catch.
01:14And another superb piece of bowling by the South African paceman.
01:23Caught, fine bowling again by Alan Donald and the second Sri Lankan wicket is down and Donald's
01:31got another, fast closing on the 200 test wickets as South Africa's greatest ever wicket taker
01:37and another superb piece of bowling by the South African paceman.
01:47Fine delivery once again.
01:50Roshan Mahamana beaten for pace and bounce.
01:56Alan Donald getting it exactly right.
02:00Hanema on that occasion not presenting the full face,
02:02playing the ball with an angled bat, which contributed to his dismissal.
02:10Gone for nine, 36 for two.
02:16Push back Amara, the new batsman, Ravindra.
02:24Point of view.
02:25Oh, yes, they've got him inside edge this time, and taken by Boucher to give him his sixth
02:39catch of the innings and end the Sri Lankan effort at 306.
02:45Well, certainly Alan Donald deserved that wicket right over the top of the stumps.
02:51Well, I suppose the only person who's a little bit disappointed at the way it ended is Sean Pollock,
02:58who's bowled very well for four wickets.
03:02But I'm sure Alan Donald doesn't worry about that kind of thing.
03:05Mark Boucher taking six catches.
03:09And pushed by Kamara, the last man out for four.
03:14Sri Lanka all out for three.
03:21Alan Donald was not just quick. He was relentless as South Africa reemerged on the international scene
03:44post readmission. He's too tall as their spearhead breathing fire into their attack.
03:50His speed, aggression, and unwavering will made him not only South Africa's strike weapon,
03:56but also one of the finest fastballers the game has ever seen.
04:00By the 1998, Alan Donald brilliance was reflected in the ranking as well.
04:05Climbing to the top of the ICC test-balling charts and peaking with an extraordinary 895 points the
04:12following year. In the ODS too, he left an indelible mark, reaching 794 points in 1998,
04:20just behind his new ball partner Sean Pollock. For cricket lovers, Alan Donald was not just a baller.
04:27He was an experienced and unforgettable chapter in the rich traditions of fastballing.
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