Free State Cricket Welcomes Allan Donald Back
Free State Cricket Union has confirmed the involvement of Allan Donald in the Province for the duration of October 2019.
Allan Donald has been appointed as a consulting coach for Free State Cricket teams as well as the Central Region’s Franchise, VKB Knights. “We are delighted to announce that we have embarked on a project to get a consulting coach this season. The name of Allan Donald came up as he was recently inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame; and as a player, a coach or an administrator you cannot receive a higher honour than that”, commented Chief Executive of VKB Knights and Free State Cricket Johan van Heerden.
The Bloemfontein Born legend is known for his success as one of the best fast bowlers in Test Cricket and he has come back home to produce fast bowlers of his calibre. “Allan is a born and bred Bloemfonteiner and it was an obvious choice to get him to come and look after our fast bowlers”, said Johan.
The Central Region and Free State Cricket have embarked on a new vision where we pay close attention to young cricketers, especially South Africa Under 19 players in the province. “We have secured 3 superstars on the under 19 level, bowling wise, in the Jansen twins (Duan and Marco Jansen), as well as Gerald Coetzee”, added Johan.
Allan will be working closely with the current VKB Knights fast bowlers in preparation of the 4-Day Domestic Series commencing in October, as well as all provincial teams going to various national weeks towards the end of the year. “Allan will work with different age group fast bowlers’ prior national weeks to equip them and teach them more about fast bowling”, said Johan.
“An initiative like this requires money and we are proud to announce that we have secured a sponsorship with VKB to take care of this project that will help us build the future of cricket in the Free State and Central Region”, concluded Mr van Heerden.