Caution Is Donald's Watchword

- Shayan Acharya

For sometime now, Allan Donald has been following a new routine. His daystarts with honing the skills of the Sri Lankan fast bowlers. And even when it is time to windup for the day, the South African bowling legend is still discussing cricket with his wards.

With the Champions Trophy round the corner, the newly-appointed fast bowling coach of Sri Lanka is busy preparing his pacers for the big tournament. Speaking to Sportstar from Colombo, Donald says that the ‘underdog’ status would eventually help Sri Lanka perform better in the Champions Trophy, which begins in England on June 1. “We are not being spoken about. We will take it like that,” he adds.

DONALD’S TONE then changes suddenly. After a pause, he says: “Ultimately, who would have it easy would be decided once the first ball is bowled.”

This is something the South African has even told his wards during the preparatory camp in Kandy. Aware that even a minor slip could mar the team’s plans, Donald says he has advised his boys to keep calm and stay focussed on the job. “Remember, in the Champions Trophy, you can’t afford to make mistakes,” he warns.