AD admits that he "felt a bit like royalty" when Warwickshire's fans broke into the warmest applause
Allan Donald admits that he “felt a bit like royalty” when Warwickshire’s fans broke into the warmest applause as he walked around the Edgbaston boundary on the first day of the game against Kent.
Donald was back in Birmingham in the role of Kent assistant coach but will forever be associated with the Bears for his wholehearted brilliance as a fast-bowler for them over more than a decade and later input as bowling coach.
A lot of memories flooded back when I was out there on the park with the guys warming up. Some really good stuff happened for me here over the years so it’s been amazing to be back.
Allan Donald
A.D’s contribution to the 1995 County Championship title win – 88 wickets at 15.48 apiece in a blazing hot summer – is arguably the best season ever recorded by a fast bowler for the county.
To many fans then, he is Bears royalty. Hence the ovation…
“I was just walking around the boundary to talk to Matt Henry down at fine leg and people started clapping,” said A.D. “I felt a bit like royalty!
“It was a nice touch and wherever I have gone over the last few days it’s just been tremendous. People have been so kind and it’s nice that they still remember from that long time ago.
“The bond between myself and the Bears is still enormous. It is very deeply entrenched in me, that’s for sure, and coming back this week it’s been great to really get the impression of how people still value my efforts on behalf of the club. I am very grateful for that.
“It has been like I was playing here yesterday. A lot of memories flooded back when I was out there on the park with the guys warming up. Some really good stuff happened for me here over the years so it’s been amazing to be back.
“The ground has changed a lot and it’s like a new Edgbaston now but it is still very special and the players who play here are very fortunate to play at this great place.”
For more than a decade, Donald strained every sinew on behalf of Warwickshire but this week he was plotting their downfall as Kent ultimately succumbed to the Bears in the battle for the Division Two title.
“Four games into the season I said ‘wouldn’t it be nice to go to Edgbaston and have a chance of winning the championship there?’ To come here with the teams deadlocked on 219 points and scrapping away for every bonus point and playing hard, intense cricket in front of good crowds at Edgbaston was just brilliant.”
