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Donald bids to outfox India

N.Ananthanarayanan

South African fast bowler Allan Donald feels he has the key to unravel India's strong batting line-up when the two sides clash in the first Champions Trophy semi-final on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old will reach 150 one-day internationals in Colombo if the 1998 champions reach the final, but that will happen only if their fast bowlers stop the Indian batsmen on a slow Premadasa stadium pitch.

"They are a very good batting line-up, especially in Sri Lanka," Donald said.

"In any place, even in India or Pakistan, they are going to be quite devastating."

Donald, who has taken 250 one-day wickets at 21.32 apiece, felt pace alone might not do the trick.

"As a bowler, you've got to mix it up with pace. It is going to take a huge effort, a skilful effort, for us to pull it off."

India have looked a tremendously confident side after young opener Virender Sehwag lashed 126 in only 104 balls in an eight-wicket win over England to top pool B on Sunday.

Sehwag raised a 192-run opening partnership with skipper Sourav Ganguly, who was equally devastating to finish on 117 not out, as they dominated England's pace attack.

India have begun to bat to their potential in one-dayers this year after their leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar dropped from opening to number four to lend some middle-order stability.

The batting depth has also been typified by young Mohammad Kaif, who hit 111 not out coming in at number seven against Zimbabwe to lift India out of trouble in their 14-run win.

PAINFUL ANKLE

Donald will spearhead a pace attack also including skipper Shaun Pollock and all-rounder Jacques Kallis with veteran Steve Elworthy likely to play if Alan Dawson does not recover from a calf muscle strain.

Donald will play on Wednesday despite a painful ankle which requires injections every six months.

The problem to his landing foot flared up during this 12-team event and he was rested for the second pool C win over Kenya, but Donald has put off the next dose of injection until returning home, instead taking pain-killers and having his ankle taped.

"There has been pain, but it goes away. I bowled in the nets yesterday and there was no problem," he said.

Donald has quit Test cricket to preserve himself until next year's World Cup, to be held in South Africa in February-March.

Pollock has said the Champions Trophy cannot be a build-up for the World Cup because conditions at home would be different.

If South Africa reach the final, they will meet either world champions Australia or hosts Sri Lanka, who play in Friday's second semi-final.

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