Top ten fastest bowlers in modern history

Allan Donald

7. Allan Donald (South Africa)

He wasn’t known as ‘White Lightning’ for nothing. With a fearsome scowl and a circular white area of zinc cream across his cheeks & nose, Allan Donald was easily one of the best world-class bowlers in the nineties, and arguably, the only one in the South African squad of those days to deserve that epithet.

In both Tests and ODIs, Donald bore the burden of leading the Proteas’ pace attack until the emergence of Shaun Pollock, with whom he formed a lethal combination. In typical fast-bowler fashion, he was involved in a heated confrontation with the unflappable Rahul Dravid during India’s 1996-97 tour. His duel with former England captain Mike Atherton at the 1998 Trent Bridge Test is also legendary, as he proceeded to bowl a fast, fearsome spell at the batsman, who remained resolute and immovable.

Besides his exploits in international cricket, Donald also enjoyed a successful spell with Warwickshire, and is currently the coach of the Sahara Pune Warriors in the IPL. He may have hung up his boots, but his legacy continues with the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander taking over the mantle admirably.