Australia set to hire South African Allan Donald as bowling coach

Allan Donald has stated his desire to be Australia's reverse swing sage after he was formally announced as the national team's bowling coach for the tour of Sri Lanka in July, with the possibility of a longer term appointment to follow.

South Africa fast bowling great Allan Donald will join Australia as bowling coach for their tour of Sri Lanka this year, according to reports.

The 49-year-old, who took 330 Test wickets at an outstanding average of 22.25, could then stay on as part of the top-ranked Test nation's coaching team for series against Pakistan and South Africa in the coming home summer, News Ltd media said.

Cricket Australia declined to comment on the report but a team spokeswoman said the governing body hoped to have the coaching set-up for Sri Lanka settled within a 'week or so


Craig McDermott, who helped guide Australia to victory in last year's World Cup and a 5-0 whitewash of England in the last Ashes series on home soil, stepped down as bowling coach after the World Twenty20 in India.

Donald, nicknamed 'White Lightning' during a 72-Test career from 1992-2002, stepped down as bowling coach of South Africa a year ago, after four years mentoring the Proteas' feared pace battery of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

Cricket Australia confirmed the appointment on Thursday, with Donald revealing he had first been approached by Australia's coach Darren Lehmann during the brief tour of South Africa that preceded the World Twenty20 in India. Donald's record of success as a bowler on the subcontinent was a key factor in the choice, as Australia face tours of Sri Lanka and India either side of the next home summer.

"From a Test match point of view you need to be using that new ball and using it really well, and being very disciplined," Donald said of bowling on the subcontinent. "You take the conditions, not only the pitch but the heat the players have got to deal with, the humidity and that sort of thing but reverse swing is massive in the subcontinent. I've played enough against Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to know what it takes to be able to execute that, it's a massive key.

"I certainly want to take reverse swing to another level - I think Australia have done it pretty well but I think there's a lot more to it and a lot more skill to take a lot further. That for me is going to be a massive skill over there. To take 20 wickets over there you'll need patience, discipline and skill, but reverse swing will be a massive key to making that happen."

Lehmann said he expected Donald to challenge conventional Australian thinking as the team tries to find ways to succeed away from familiar conditions. "He brings a wealth of experience with him and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around," Lehmann said.

"His Test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation. He has also had considerable success in subcontinent conditions and will bring a fresh perspective, and challenge some of our thinking."

Donald worked with South Africa's bowlers from 2011 to 2015 but his contract was not renewed following last year's World Cup. He said it was vital that he took time to build relationships with the current crop of fast men including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, in what he hopes will grow into a longer term posting.

"There's no question if that opportunity does come a long then I'd love to work with Boof and his team without a shadow of a doubt," Donald said. "For the moment it's an opportunity just to come in and spend some time with the Australian culture … being part of that now is very special for me and very humbling. But if it does happen to be a long-term thing I'd absolutely love to do that. We'll take it small steps at a time and see how that goes.

"You can't sit sit down and say 'what am I trying to do', I'll be trying to sit down and get to know these guys for a period of time and then do what I can to help. I played cricket a lot against Australia and one thing that I have a lot of respect for is the way the Australians play their cricket.

"It's always giving it a crack and always willing to take a risk to give it a crack. Something I've always prided myself on as a bowler myself, so that sort of positive energy will help to get that across to some of the young guys in this Australian attack."

CA also named Stuart Law as interim batting coach for the tour, with Greg Blewett to be unavailable on parental leave. Sridharan Sriram, who worked with Australia prior to the World T20, will take the reins as fielding coach.