Impact Players - India/RSA ('92-'93 Series)

Name: Allan Donald

Series Stats:
Test matches: 4

Bowling:
Wickets: 20
Best figures: 7-84 in 3rd Test at Port Elizabeth

Batting:
Runs scored: 29
Average: 14.5
Highest: 14*

Best Performances:
Bowling: 7-84 in 3rd Test at Port Elizabeth
Batting: 14* in 2nd Test at Johannesburg

Donald's thunderbolts blow India:

© AFP

Allan Donald is perhaps the fiercest character one would ever see on a cricket field. This particular Test series witnessed the rise of a quickie from Bloemfontein who touched greater heights with his raw pace. With just one Test behind his back, the right-arm seamer entered the series with the responsibility to shoulder the bowling attack of a young Proteas side.

His role with the new ball was very crucial in the series. His stupendous performance in the third Test at Port Elizabeth helped South Africa win the match by nine wickets and take a 1-0 lead, a margin by which the hosts won the series. With the first two Tests ending in boring draws, the third game was very important in the context of both the teams.

The home team won the toss and elected to field first under overcast conditions. Donald destroyed the Indian batting line-up with a magnificent performance. He pushed the Indian top-order batsmen on the backfoot with a haul of 5-55; a spell which broke the backbone of the Subcontinent team's batting line-up. The Proteas seamer's maiden 5-wicket haul restricted the Indian total at 212. The hosts then capitalized with a slender first innings' lead of 63 runs.

Allan Donald came back to haunt the Indian batsmen in the second innings too. His match-winning spell rattled the middle-order which included the legendary Kapil Dev and Tendulkar. He surpassed his previous best bowling figures in the first innings with a haul of 7-84. Wicketkeeper Dave Richardson played a major role in the 12 Donald dismissals as he pouched nine catches. The bustling seamer deservingly earned the Man of the Match award for his hostile spell of fast bowling.

Donald went on to pick up the Man of the Series award too as he scalped 20 wickets in the four Tests. This series started the success story of a great South African fast bowler. His fast-swinging thunderbolts intimidated many batsmen around the world and he thus earned the reputation of 'White Lightning'.



Name: Brian McMillan

Series Stats:
Test matches: 4

Bowling:
Wickets: 15
Best Figures: 4-74 in 2nd Test at Johannesburg

Batting: 
Runs scored: 194
Average: 38.8
Highest: 98

Best Performances:
Batting: 98 in 2nd Test at Johannesburg
Bowling: 4-74 in 2nd Test at Johannesburg

Big Mac's all-round skills:

© AFP

During his cricket career, Brian McMillan earned the reputation of a big guy on whom the team could rely on to deliver in crisis situations. Perhaps, one of the unsung heroes in South African cricket, McMillan was a huge asset for his team with his all-round abilities during the 1990s.

His contributions with the bat and ball in the 4-Test series were pivotal for his nation winning their first home Test series. He picked the important wickets of Ravi Shastri, Kapil Dev and Sanjay Manjrekar in the first innings of the third Test which the hosts won by nine wickets. In his second Test, he was eluded of his maiden Test ton after being dismissed by Srinath on 98 runs. This particular knock came at a crucial juncture when South Africa were struggling at 73-5 on day 1.

'Big Mac' mustered up 194 runs in the series with two half-centuries to his name. His ability to break partnerships with his fast-medium pace deliveries made McMillan a handy seamer to have in the side. Brian established himself as a great slip fielder with his bucket like hands and amazing catches. With a tally of 15 wickets, McMillan introduced himself as a highly rated all-rounder at the end of the series.
 

Name: Sachin Tendulkar

Series stats:
Test matches: 4

Batting: 
Runs scored: 202
Average: 33.66
Highest: 111 in the 2nd Test at Johannesburg

Bowling:
Wickets: 1
Best Figures: 1/9 in 3rd Test at Port Elizabeth

Best performances:
Batting: 111 in the 2nd Test at Johannesburg
Bowling: 1/9 in 3rd Test at Port Elizabeth

Tendulkar’s sign of brilliance:

© Getty Images

Before coming into the series, Sachin Tendulkar had already announced his arrival on the international stage with his master-class batting style. After displaying his magic in almost all parts of the cricket world, the 'little master' had a tough task ahead of him of playing on fast South African pitches against a hostile pace attack.

It didn't take long for the 'master blaster' to find his touch on the African soil as he put on show one of the most spectacular innings ever in the second Test. He cracked an astonishing 111 runs, his 4th Test ton. The 'Bombay Bomber' smashed 19 boundaries during his 270-ball innings. With all the Indian batsmen struggling against the likes of Donald, McMillan and Matthews, Tendulkar looked like he was in a class of his own on that day. The highest score after Sachin in that innings was of Kapil Dev who scored 25 runs.

Sadly for Tendulkar, his ton could not help India pick up a win as the Test ended in a draw. Tendulkar notched up a half-century in the 4th and final Test. His knock of 73 runs was of significance as the youngster showed excellent class and temperament with the tail-enders. India lost the series 1-0 to the hosts but a young Sachin ended up being the highest run-getter in the four matches for India along with Kapil Dev. The duo scored 202 runs each.

- Rohan Tawde