Allan Donald

If the credit for South Africa's success in the modern era could be given to one player, that cricketer would be Allan Donald.

A classical action and top-drawer pace would have won him a place in any side in his prime, and for much of his career he was the only world-class performer in the South African team, spearing the ball in, shaping it away, and always making things happen. His strike rate was below 50 in Tests and close to 30 in ODIs. Inevitably, he was overbowled and the injuries began to accumulate in the twilight of his career.

Donald quit Test cricket after breaking down in the crushing defeat by Australia in Johannesburg in 2001-02, retired from ODIs a year later, after South Africa's exit from the 2003 World Cup, and from all cricket a year later as his physical deterioration accelerated.

Of Afrikaans stock, Donald speaks English with a slight Birmingham accent - a legacy of his lengthy spell as Warwickshire's overseas professional, a role he filled with distinction.

No living South African player, past or present, commands as much respect from the public and his peers as Donald, the first bowler from his country to take 300 Test wickets. He transferred his huge knowledge of quick bowling to the commentary box and coaching - notably with South Africa and New Zealand - after retirement.