Donald may come out of retirement for Australian tour

South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald said he may come out of retirement from Test cricket to tour Australia this year.

South Africa coach Graham Ford and captain Shaun Pollock asked Donald, the country's leading Test wicket-taker, to reconsider his decision to play only one-day internationals.

They want the 34-year-old Donald to face the Australians in three away Tests starting in December followed by three at home next year. Donald said he's considering the offer.

"Australia is a huge series and something to look forward to, but I would need to sit down with Graham Ford first and see what he's expecting from me," Donald said in an interview.

Donald quit Test cricket to concentrate on preparing himself for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. April's fifth Test against West Indies in Jamaica was his last of 69 matches. He's taken 325 Test wickets at an average of 21.62.

Donald said he was wary of setting a precedent of players picking and choosing when to tour. He is still contracted to the United Cricket Board of South Africa as a Test player.

Ford said he thought Donald would play Tests again. "My gut feeling is that he will but on a very controlled agreement where he is looked after and isn't overworked," Ford said. "It would be a setback if he didn't tour Australia."

Donald's ability to motivate and lift the team would be as vital as his bowling ability and experience against Australia, Ford said. He took 25 wickets in five Tests in Australia on the 1993-94 and 1997-98 tours at an average of 23.48.

"It would be nice to go to Australia and try and win. We came close last time when a decision went against us and cost us. It could be a nice way to finish," Donald said.

South Africa drew the first series 1-1 and lost the most recent 1-0. South Africa also tours Zimbabwe from September, playing two Test matches.