'I miss serious involvement in cricket'

Allan Donald, known as "White Lightning" — one of the most successful pace bowlers of all time — with 330 wickets from 72 Tests for South Africa, takes time out of the commentary box to have an exclusive chat with Gulf News.

Gulf News: Does South Africa deserve the ‘chokers' tag?

Allan Donald: I hate that name. There was a time in the mid-1990s when we were the best team in the world in both forms of the game but I played in four World Cups and have nothing to show for it. I regret that. We'll always be reminded when it came to putting a side away on the big stage we failed. It will haunt me forever. There's a little voice on our right shoulder nipping away at us every time. When it comes to that final hurdle we just didn't trust ourselves and I don't think anyone's ever admitted that.

The 1999 World Cup semi-final. Why didn't you run?

Three balls to go, the field was up and the scores were level. I said to Klusener just hit it out far but it was hit back at me over my head and the fielders were close. I wasn't going to take the risk. Next thing I know there's no one in front of me, Klusener wasn't there and to make matters worse I dropped my bat, everything else was a blur. I didn't blame Klusener, after the match we all shared responsibility. But we were seconds away from getting Australia out of the World Cup, we should have won that World Cup, we had the best chance.

Do you believe the Hansie Cronje conspiracies?

It's total rubbish, people assuming that the guy flew into the mountain, ridiculous comments that he was murdered, nonsense. It was an accident. He paid harshly, not because he died, but he got kicked in the teeth for fixing. He admitted he was wrong and I don't think many people can do that. We grew up together, I know his parents very well ,they took a massive knock in life. They say it was his time to go. It wasn't. I was very disappointed at his fixing but we thrashed it out and I'm glad we did because I would have blamed myself when he died.

What are you up to now?

I'm back in South Africa doing some work for TV, but I hate the commentary box; I love being out there doing what I love doing. I'm very hopeful that I can get involved with one of the new IPL franchises. I know the Sahara franchise has already announced a coach and an assistant coach, I think they are still deciding on a bowling consultant. But hopefully with Rendezvous who own the Kochi franchise. People are saying it's going to be bigger than the NFL. Players say there's more pressure in the IPL than playing for your country and I can see that, and I think I have the experience to help them with that. I don't miss playing but I miss being involved.

How much of your career did you lose to apartheid?

I think I lost about five years. I started cricket in 1985 playing for Free State and in 1987, got an invitation to play for Warwickshire in England. Rubbing shoulders with Viv Richards was amazing, that fast-tracked my career so when I was finally able to play on the international scene in 1991 I wasn't afraid of the environment. I was 25 years old, most lads start at 18. I played a few rebel tours, Australia and England during the apartheid but those statistics would never stand. It was frustrating. There was a lot of ill-feeling from the black community, we were moved from hotels and staff refused to serve us. We were all very divided, it had to end and luckily it did.

Were you ever tempted to switch allegiance to better your career?

I was seriously considering staying in England in 1989. Allan Lamb and Robin Smith told me South Africa had no future. They never got the opportunity to play for their country and made their decision early on to move. But Dr Ali Bacher told me in a year or so we'd be back in the international game. Thankfully I listened to him.

What do you think about South Africans in England now?

It's pathetic, we've got two cricket teams playing in English cricket. It's the South African Cricket Board's problem for allowing it to happen. Since they brought in the quota system a lot of youngsters think they won't get the chance. Jaques Rudolf, Martin van Jaarsveld, Dale Benkinstein, Craig Keiswetter and Jonathon Trott are not Mickey Mouse players. We've lost an entire back up.

Do you still dream about facing Artherton at Trent Bridge back in 1998?

It's the moment I've always cherished having an opponent who was so resilient. We were trying to knock each other over, him surviving more than me. The atmosphere for 45 minutes was unbelievable, I shut myself out so much it felt like I was in a quiet room it was full on. I learnt a lot of lessons about how to control myself from that game. But when Boucher dropped that Hussain catch I realised this wasn't our Test. The beauty of the sport is after the game Michael Artherton came in and gave me his glove with the red mark on it, signed.

Do you regret the Dravid incident in 1997?

That's one instance when we were losing the game, I absolutely deliberately wound him up. Tendulkar and Dravid were pumping us to all corners. I overstepped the mark. I apologised for it. I knew I had to try and upset him and it worked at the end of the day. There were harsh words but two overs later he got himself out because he was upset. I didn't appreciate the letters from fans saying I was part of the old regime, this country will always be racist. Rahul didn't talk to me for a few months but he and everyone else on the field knows it wasn't like that.

Is there room for sledging in the modern game?

It's definitely part of the game so long as you can control it and keep it on the field. It's a very calculated way of dropping certain things in the water that might upset the batsman. There's senseless sledging and stupidity but there's so many jurisdictions and camera angles nowadays you can be in instant trouble. I think it's well controlled but players should be allowed to play it tough. I didn't have to do too much of that with Brian McMillan, Pat Symcox and Franie de Villiers around.

Does Murali throw it?

It's a very unique action. What a special cricketer, very controversial career, proved a lot of people wrong with 800 wickets and everything is legal about that. I don't know who's going to surpass that. He's been tested and tested and his action has been ruled legal. He got found out for chucking in Australia several times by an umpire who turned out to be very controversial himself. I take my hat off to him for his longevity. He's always played with a smile, it's a testament to his absolute brilliance.

What's your England-Pakistan prediction?

The way Pakistan squared the series against the Ozzies is a massive boost to the country. It's very sad they're bursting to see them play at home. England is a very good side, different to any England team I've seen. England got a huge series win over Bangladesh and if they beat Pakistan it will be a huge confident boost into the Ashes.

Ashes prediction?

The Ashes will be hard to predict. It depends on Ricky Ponting, if he plays well Australia will play well. The press are onto him, they want his head, but knowing Tim Nielson he'll never get rid of him. England won't roll over, it will be very tight. For England to beat the Ozzies in Australia will be a hell of a test. If achieved England will be on their way to the world number one spot.