Bloemfontein: South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald announced his retirement from international cricket at his home ground of Goodyear Park on Saturday. "It's time to move on. It's been a wonderful time, playing against the best players in the world," said the 36-year-old. "I've played in four World Cups. Things did not work out for us at this tournament but my philosopy has always been if things are not meant to be they are not meant to be." Donald will carry on playing first-class cricket for his native province of Free State for the next two seasons and could captain the side. He is also due to work as a technical assistant with South Africa's Under-19s and could be used as a bowling coach with the full national team. Gerald Majola, chief executive of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), said he hoped Donald could become 'South Africa's Dennis Lillee', a reference to the legendary Australian paceman who is now a bowling coach. Looking back on his international career, Donald said he had no regrets. "I can walk out of this room today and say I've no regrets apart from a couple of disappointments," explained the paceman whose last-ball run-out in the tied 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia cost South Africa a place in the final. "I'd like to be remembered as someone who gave it his all and was very passionate about the badge, his country and any team he played for," added Donald who had a long county career in England mainly with Warwickshire and last season Worcestershire. But the memory of that World Cup semi-final reverse still lingers. "I put the blame squarely on myself for that. But I've learned to run between the wickets since then," he joked. Donald, who will also do some television work, insisted South Africa's dramatic exit on a rain-affected tie against Sri Lanka in this World Cup had not altered the timing of his decision. "I'd pretty much made up mind. It didn't work out the way I planned it but life goes on." Donald said that South Africa had failed to come together on the field at the World Cup. "We never gelled. When this team gels it can win against the best." Despite his record of 330 Test wickets, Donald - no longer the 'White Lightning' of old, had recently been singled out as the prime cause of some South African defeats. "That's professional sport. It gets very hot in the kitchen. But some of the criticism has been deserved. I set high standards for myself and sometimes I haven't reached them." Donald added that the highlights of his international career were Test series wins in India and Pakistan and said Sachin Tendulkar had been the best batsman he'd come up against. "Sachin is a bit of a freak. He's such a tough guy to bowl to because of his balance and amazing eye for the game." But Donald added that Australia Test skipper Steve Waugh was the toughest of them all to dismiss. "He never gave his wicket away under any circumstances." Donald also paid tribute to the great concentration of retired England opener and former captain Michael Atherton with whom he had some titanic battles. "These are three guys I'm glad to say I won't be bumping into again." Copyright AFP 2001

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