OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Thursday 9.00am.
FAST bowler Allan Donald is expected to make an announcement on his international fututre following the fifth Test against England which begins in Centurion on Friday.
The 33-year-old, South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Test history, is torn between the calls of county and country.
Donald has been offered a lucrative one-year contract by his former English county Warwickshire where he would link up once more with ex-South African coach Bob Woolmer.
But cricket authorities in the Republic are eager for Donald to be available for a series of one-day internationals against world champions Australia scheduled to take place in April and August. Warwickshire are not prepared to release the player for the matches.
Donald has already said he will not be going on South Africa’s two Test tour of India at the end of next month even though he may be within touching distance of the landmark of 300 test wickets. He currently has 290.
”The 300 landmark is very important to me — it would be more than just nice, a real achievement, the 14th member of a great club,” he said. ”There’s no doubt that anyone who takes 300 Test wickets is up there amongst the best.
”Having said that, it won’t be the end of the world if it doesn’t happen.”
Donald’s wife Tina is from Birmingham where Warwickshire play their home games and he has two young children. He has toured constantly since South Africa were readmitted to world cricket in 1992.
”It’s a lifestyle decision,” Donald said. ”It’s a family decision.”
Donald may decide to make himself available only for the English close season although that would cut across South Africa’s stated policy of not allowing players to pick and choose their series.
If they decide not to make an exception for Donald his last international appearances for his country could be in the triangular one-day series with England and Zimbabwe which starts later this month. — Reuters