Decision on Donald after nets

South Africa will wait until their last practice session today before making a final decision on whether their leading fast bowler, Alan Donald, is fit enough for the fourth Test, starting at the Antigua Recreation Ground tomorrow. A right hamstring strain restricted Donald to 14 wicketless, first innings overs in third Test that ended in a draw at Kensington Oval on Monday.

He did not field over the last two days and came out with a runner for his one-ball dismissal in the second innings. Team physiotherapist Craig Smith said that, although the injury was improving, only a final fitness test would determine whether he was up to a five-day Test.

Donald, 34, is South Africa's leading wicket-taker in Tests with 320 in 68 Tests. He had been troubled by various injuries in the past few years and lost some of his pace. But he remains a class performer and a fighter who hit his highest Test score, 37, in the first innings of the third Test.

If Donald has to miss the match, South Africa have a couple of options.

Andre Nel, 23, came to the Caribbean with the reputation as a genuinely quick bowler and the backup to Donald. But, with the pitch at the Recreation Ground expected to be slow and aid spin, left-arm wrist spinner Paul Adams could come into consideration.

Nicky Boje, the orthodox left-arm spinner, caused the West Indies anxious moments on the last day of the Kensington Test on Monday with four wickets for 17 from 16.4 overs, a point not lost on the tour selectors.

With captain Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener all genuine Test-class bowlers of pace, Adams would give the attack more variety.