Allan Donald Photo Paul McGregor

South Africa's greatest fast bowler, Allan Donald, has announced his retirement from Test cricket. Donald, who turns 36 this year, will continue to play one-day international cricket.

Donald's decision to quit the Test scene comes after he broke down with a hamstring strain during the first day of the first Test match against Australia at the Wanderers on Friday.

"I have reached a stage where I am tired of letting myself, my team and my country down with my injuries," Donald said in Bloemfontein on Monday.

His retirement is not unexpected. At the beginning of last year he indicated that he wished to step down from Test cricket, but the prospect of playing against Australia one last time persuaded him to make himself available for South Africa's tour of Australia and for the first Test of the current series.

Donald has been plagued by a variety of injuries over the past two years, and has struggled to finish an entire series in one piece despite his natural suppleness and athleticism. When he went down in a heap at the Wanderers on Friday there was a sense that he was being seen on a Test match field for the last time.

Donald started his career while South Africa was still isolated from international cricket as a fiery, but somewhat wayward fast bowler for Free State. He made his first-class debut against Transvaal in November 1985, taking his first wicket in his second over when he had Jimmy Cook caught at the wicket.

He made his county debut for Warwickshire in 1987, but before that he had represented South Africa in an unofficial Test match against Kim Hughes' rebel Australian team.

In 1992 he tasted official Test cricket for the first time against the West Indies in Bridgetown, after South Africa was readmitted to international cricket and, when fit, has been an automatic choice ever since.

Donald took his 300th Test wicket in his home town of Bloemfontein against New Zealand at the end of 2000, and he retires with 72 Test caps and 330 wickets at 22.25.

"I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my Test career. It has been a privilege to represent South Africa in Test cricket," he said.

Donald will not be lost to international cricket, however. He hopes to play in next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"Allan has been a great servant of the game and we hope he will continue to shine in one-day international cricket," said United Cricket Board chief executive Gerald Majola. "We accept Allan's decision and his current contract, which expires in April, remains intact."

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