OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Thursday 12.00pm
SOUTH Africa’s premier fast bowler Allan Donald will be available for the Proteas until April 2002 after agreeing a new contract with the United Cricket Board.
Donald’s decision comes as a ray of good news for the beleaguered UCB in the wake of the Hansie Cronje scandal.
Donald, known as White Lightning, will only be available from October, when he has completed a sabbatical from international cricket while he is playing for English county Warwickshire.
The decision to agree to a new, tougher contract with the UCB could mean that Donald’s county career will end this year. Donald’s current one-year contract with Warwickshire was on condition that he is available for all the county’s matches.
“Allan spoke to me today and confirmed he would be available for all Test and one-day international matches if required by the selectors,” said Ali Bacher, managing director of the UCB.
Donald, 33, is poised to become the first South African to reach 300 Test wickets, needing just two more.
While Donald’s decision was welcomed by Bacher, the UCB boss was less delighted by newspaper reports that opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs was seen at a Cape Town nightclub until 3am last Friday, just hours before playing in a day-night international against Australia at Newlands.
“I have a meeting with Herschelle next week to discuss the terms of his new contract. I will ask him about the incident and if necessary the matter will be referred to the disciplinary committee,” said Bacher.
Gibbs is one of four players named in transcripts of tapes between Cronje and an Indian businessman but denied he was offered money or involved in match-fixing. — AFP