Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald has said the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup provided him with the opportunity to show his talent and potential on a global stage.
“The best part for me was the opportunity to have a crack against the best cricketers in the world,” he said.
The ‘White Lightening’ finished as the sixth most successful bowler in the tournament with 13 wickets and inspired his side to the semi-final, where it lost to England by 19 runs.
In all, South Africa played nine matches wining five and losing four, including the semi-final.
“The 1992 World Cup was the opportunity to showcase my talent and skill against some of the best in the world,” Donald said, adding: “It proved to me as a bowler that I was capable of competing against the best in the world.”
“I went into that World Cup as thoroughly prepared as possible. For four years leading up to the event I would spend almost 12 months playing cricket between South Africa and the United Kingdom. I quickly developed my own style and sense for ODI cricket.”
Donald’s best bowling figures of 10-0-34-3 helped South Africa to restrict Australia to 170 for nine at Sydney in the side’s first-ever World Cup match. Jonty Rhodes was one of the three South Africa players who made their international debuts in this match, which South Africa won by nine wickets.
Donald, who finished his career with 272 ODI and 330 Test wickets, said former captain Kepler Wessels’ knowledge about the conditions in Australia helped the Proteas prepare as best as they could for their first international tournament on return to the circuit.
“I think Kepler’s experience of Australian conditions helped us a lot. His first bit of advice was not to be overawed by where we were going. The pitches were slightly quicker in Australia, something that we were used to and slower in New Zealand, something that we adapted to. The huge grounds in Australia did take some getting used to though,” recalled Donald.
