So it wasn't goodbye after all. Allan Donald, the man who at his peak was the world's fastest bowler, has eaten his words and been included in both the Test and one-day sides for South Africa's tour of Zimbabwe in September. It is unclear why Donald, who announced his retirement from Test cricket after the series in West Indies, changed his mind. Or how much he was force-fed by the selectors, who are thought to have become fed up with players picking and choosing which tours they wish to go on. And as the selectors have signed a confidentiality agreement to prevent them from reporting their discussions, the ruminations are likely to remain secret for a while.

But whatever the reasons, the news wasn't the light relief that the Zimbabwe team were looking for. In 69 Tests, Donald has taken 325 wickets at 21.64 and at the terrifying strike rate of 46.2. And he has a fancy for Zimbabwean wickets - in October 1995 he took 8 for 71 in the second innings of the inaugral Test between the countries.

Mfuneko Ngam and Nicky Boje are injured, and the only uncapped player in the squad is the left-arm spinner Claude Henderson from Western Province. Jonty Rhodes, another one trying to juggle his home and work commitments, plays just in the one-day team.

South African squad Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Boeta Dippenaar, Justin Kemp, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock (capt), Mark Boucher (wkt), Claude Henderson, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel For one-day internationals only Jonty Rhodes, Justin Ontong

Tanya Aldred is assistant editor of Wisden.com

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd