Alan Donald speaks out (12 August 1999)

12 August 1999

Alan Donald speaks out

Keith Lane

JOHANNESBURG - Alan Donald interviewed on a local TV show spoke about his career and for the first time about the recent World Cup tournament in England.

"My interest in county cricket started at a young age while reading my grand fathers Wisden annuals. From an early age the picture painted by Wisdens of the County scene attracted me and when I was approached by David Browne and Dr Bacher in the late 80's my dreams had come true."

"Arriving in England as a young innocent South African, hardly able to speak English, was a bit frightening. The players at Warwickshire made me feel so welcome and by the time I left at the end of the first season I could speak English and even had a slight accent."

"In those days I used to give 110% to Warwickshire and on arriving back in Bloemfontein the press used to be very critical of my form at home. I used to be tired after a full English season, and had to learn to pace myself through the season. I also learnt that to play cricket for 12 months of the year you had to look after your body and stay super fit. By the 1993/94 season I had found a good balance to my routine."

"Bob Woolmer had a lot to do with my career, both with Warwickshire and South Africa. He was my Mr Fixit. Unlike other coaches that I have worked with Bob has a great knowledge of the whole game and could pin point technical faults before the players even noticed them."

"My book, 'White Lightning' which was released during the world cup is a honest portrayal of how I have played the game over the years."

"The World Cup was great. It was great to be in England and playing well. The semi-final match against Australia must rate as the best and greatest game I have ever played. The atmosphere was unbelievable. There were so many South Africans in the ground. When you looked up all you saw was the green and gold. Out in the middle you did not even hear the crowd. The adrenaline was pumping so hard."

"We were at the crease, needing one run to get to the finals. We were responsible to the team, management and supporters world wide to get that run.. and we failed. Why did I not run? Why did I drop the bat? I have watched the video of that ball over and over again and I can not answer the questions."

"After the match I sat in the change rooms for about 90 minutes. I could not move. The team felt bad and I felt worse. All I could think of were the people I had disappointed. The players and the supporters at home. Everywhere where people had gathered to see us win I had been a disappointment. All I could think of was that it was my fault and I should have run."

"Lance came to me and said sorry. At first that felt strange, why was he saying sorry if it was my fault. Eventually that helped as now it was not only my fault."

"Hansie then spoke to all of us and made it clear that we are a team and that it was no one persons fault. He is mentally so strong, a respected captain and a long time friend of mine. Deep down I knew that he was hurting and that he would hurt for a while."

"We are professionals and we learn every time we play. That one run will haunt us all for a long time, but we will cope and get up to fight once again".

"Dr Bacher has mentioned that with good management I have at least 4 years of top cricket left, but I am not too sure if I will continue that long. I need 35 more test wickets to reach the 300 figure. After the English tour to South Africa I will reassess my options. I have a young family and my little girl goes to school soon and I don't want to miss her growing up with me always away on cricket tours."

Source :: Keith Lane