/ 29 September 2008

Donald keen to help Proteas beat Australia

Cricket legend Allan Donald has offered his help to the Proteas in their quest to beat world champions Australia later this year.

Donald, who is returning to the country after a stint as bowling coach at Warwickshire, said he was keen to chat to coach Mickey Arthur about helping the side.

The former fast bowler said he had turned down a permanent offer from the county side and said he wants to return home and become more involved in coaching in the country.

”We would have stayed in England, but my wife and kids wanted to return home to South Africa. I can understand it. They are happy, and how can’t they be in South Africa,” Donald told Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag.

Donald said that he had gained a lot of experience while in England, experience that he wants to now give back to the national team to help them in their home and away series against Australia.

”I enjoyed my time in England and I learnt a lot in the last five years that I coached there. I also did a lot of research in that time and I feel I can give it back at international level to South Africa.”

Donald said he understood there may be people who held grudges when he took a position as bowling coach for England, but asked those to put these differences aside.

”I understand that I have to stand in line to help and sometimes I think I obviously upset some people. But I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and I really want to help them out.” — Sapa