Allan Donald is one of the bests South Africa has ever produced: Ali Bacher

Dr Ali Bacher highlighted Allan Donald as one of the top three fast bowlers in South Africa's history. Additionally, he regarded Dale Steyn as the premier bowler ever produced by South Africa, emphasizing Steyn's remarkable ability to maintain peak speed, comparing him to a swinging man with outstretched arms who could hit top speeds even early in the morning at 11.

Legendary South African pace bowler Allan Donald bid adieu to international cricket following a heart-wrenching defeat against Australia in Johannesburg during the 2001-02 Test series. Subsequently retiring from ODIs a year later post South Africa's exit from the 2003 World Cup, Donald, the first from his nation to claim 300 Test wickets, faced physical challenges prompting his final retirement a year later. Transitioning his immense bowling wisdom, he delved into commentary and coaching, notably contributing to South Africa and New Zealand post-retirement. 

“When I was 18, I played against Neil Adcock in Durban. He's probably the fastest bowler we’ve ever had. He was very tall, very quick. In 1960, even though we lost a Test series 3-0 in England, Adcock (104 wickets in 26 Tests from 1953 to 1962) got 27 wickets in five Tests. He, Dale Steyn and Allan Donald are, in my opinion, the three best fast bowlers we’ve ever had. I'd probably put Dale Steyn at No. 1. He was quick. He bowled late away swing,” Bacher was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“He could curve it in and at five o'clock in the afternoon, he would be bowling as fast as 11 o’clock in the morning. And he had a heart like this (spreading his hands wide). You know, he came from a place called Palabora, it's near the Kruger National Park. He went to a primary school there and we don’t know how he developed his greatness, but he did. He stayed in that area and to me, he was the best,” he concluded. 

Shami not playing South Africa series ‘a great shame’: Allan Donald 

Allan Donald had expressed disappointment over Mohammed Shami's absence in the Test series against South Africa, labelling it a "great shame." Initially, the pacer was included in India's squad. However, the right-arm pacer was eventually sidelined after the BCCI medical team affirmed his ankle required more time to recover, ruling him out of the two-match Test series against South Africa.

"This attack that they have built over the last five-six years and where they are now. It’s a great shame Shami is out," Donald had told Rev Sports before the series opener.