Time off may help Donald (12 March 1999)

12 March 1999

Time off may help Donald

The Christchurch Press

South Africa hopes to have strike bowler Allan Donald fit to bowl in the New Zealand second innings despite being injured in a fourth successive test.

Donald opted out with the recurrence of a stomach muscle strain which had first surfaced in the opening test of the series at Auckland. He previously had unrelated injury problems in the final two tests against West Indies in South Africa.

"We hope if Allan can have a couple of days off he might be right to bowl again," said South African coach Bob Woolmer.

"He was fit going into this game but when he tried an effort ball to Daniel Vettori he felt it nick again," said Woolmer. Donald was in his 18th over when he suffered the injury. "We should know more today how he's going," said Woolmer.

He said Donald could miss the third test in Wellington next week and perhaps come back and play the final three one-dayers.

"We have the World Cup coming up and need to look after him. We also want him to get to 300 test wickets but he's 32 and these things are starting to happen more often."

Woolmer said Donald was quick to remind him that despite being injury-troubled for the past four tests he had taken 14 wickets.

At the game's start Donald struggled for his rhythm, Woolmer said, because of the grassy areas by the crease which provided problems for grip when his feet landed.

"Even putting sawdust there didn't make much difference."

South Africa has another injured bowler, Jacques Kallis, who is nursing tendonitis in his big left toe. However, Kallis said he will play on through the series before resting when he returns to South Africa.

New Zealand also had a bowling scare when Simon Doull limped off with an ankle strain but after being absent for 31 minutes he returned to the field and intends bowling today.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)