Donald worried about stupid mistakes

MELBOURNE: Former fast bowler Allan Donald is worried about South Africa’s propensity to make “stupid mistakes” in big games against Australia and has his fingers crossed about their clash in the World Cup Group stage. South Africa, who recently climbed to the top of the ICC one-day rankings, have been place in the same Group as the world champions and the two teams would face off on March 24 at St Kitts.

“I think in big games Australia are well ahead of South Africa. I think a big part of that is on numerous occasions we just couldn’t finish it off in the big time,” Donald said.

“This is something South Africa will want to get rid of — that fear of not succeeding in critical moments against top teams, especially Australia,” he added. “I am worried about it. It’s something hopefully South Africa will breach if they are to go a long way in this championship,” he was quoted as saying in The Australian.

Donald said the Proteas had been guilty of making stupid mistakes at crucial times. “That’s been the downfall of South Africa on many an occasion in top matches where they have played the better cricket and all of a sudden they have made stupid mistakes. I sometimes see that as arrogant mistakes where we think we have the game all sewn up and then have made the mistake which cost us the trophy,” he said.

Donald insisted the Proteas were not favourites to claim the World Cup.

“Australia will go into it as favourites. I don’t think South Africa can justify that because they don’t have enough momentum or confidence going into the World Cup,” he said.