Allan Donald’s Emotional Journey and the 1999 Cricket World Cup

Allan Donald, the former South African cricketer renowned for his fast bowling, shared a profound moment from the 1999 Cricket World Cup that continues to resonate with him to this day. Despite his illustrious career, which included taking 602 wickets for South Africa over 12 years, this particular incident stands out above all others. It occurred 24 years ago under the clear skies of Birmingham, England.

“I remember so much from that day, but it’s that little girl’s face that stands out,” Donald reminisces. “Her head in her hands, she was weeping. I remember being dragged off the field by security guards. My legs were like jelly, I could barely walk. All I kept thinking was, ‘I let this little girl down’.”

The cricketing world remembers the match vividly. It was the 15th tied One Day International (ODI) in history, and the first in a World Cup. Australia’s 213 all out equaled South Africa’s 213 all out, but Australia advanced to the final due to their superior run rate. The fate of South African cricket took a different path, one marked by near-misses and heartache.

Donald reflects on that fateful day, saying, “I suppose it hurts more because it was tied. It adds to the drama. After the 2019 World Cup final, which was just unbelievable, it’s probably the greatest game of cricket of all time. It will live on forever, and to be a part of that is really special. It feels like I played a leading role in this epic movie.”

In that match, Donald played a crucial role, taking 4-32 from 10 overs. His bowling partner, Shaun Pollock, took 5-36, setting a modest target for the opposition. However, when Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten quickly scored 48 runs, victory seemed assured for South Africa.

“We were a brilliant side,” Donald emphasizes, recalling a team led by captain Hansie Cronje and coached by Bob Woolmer. “Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”

But sometimes, the opposition includes legendary players like Shane Warne, who turned the game with his extraordinary bowling performance. He dismissed Gibbs, beat Kirsten in the flight, and had Cronje caught at first slip.

The match saw numerous twists, ultimately coming down to Lance Klusener, who hit two consecutive fours in the final over to level the scores with just one wicket remaining. Allan Donald, the last man in, stood 22 yards away as Klusener played a critical shot.

“I can still remember how hard he hit it,” says Donald, who watched Klusener’s shot through the covers. This made the number 11’s job easier; he only needed to complete a single run. However, in the next ball, a mishit by Klusener led to a dramatic run-out, with Donald scrambling late, dropping his bat, and seeing his destiny unfold as he was run out by Adam Gilchrist.

A young girl in the crowd cupped her head in her hands and wept as the dramatic run-out unfolded. Donald, for a long time, couldn’t bring himself to discuss or watch that moment. He sought therapy to overcome the trauma, using a technique called ‘flooding’ to desensitize himself to the painful memories.

However, despite the emotional turmoil, Donald has learned to live with the memory. He acknowledges that it has become a part of him and often discusses it with the young players he coaches.

As he reflects on his career and that iconic game, he remains proud and grateful for the experience. But until South Africa wins a World Cup, his dropped bat will remain an integral part of the Proteas’ cricketing story.

It’s clear that Allan Donald’s journey through the 1999 Cricket World Cup is an emotional rollercoaster that continues to shape his life and inspire others, both on and off the field.