“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 the best candidate 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 renowned for his success as one of the best fast bowlers in the history of 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 Van Heerden.

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 fast bowling superstars at the under 19 level in the Jansen twins (Duan and Marco Jansen), as well as Gerald Coetzee,” he added.

Donald will be working closely with the current VKB Knights fast bowlers in preparation for 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 the different age group fast bowlers’ prior to the national weeks to equip them and teach them more about the art of fast bowling.

“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 the Central Region,” concluded Van Heerden.