The Donald effect shines through for England

Even more visible with the youngsters getting most of the purchase

To fill into the shoes of Troy Cooley, to expect that the 2005 Ashes-like bowling performance becomes a regular feature in the England team and to have a set of bowlers who8217;ve been ridden with injuries are tasks that can make any bowling coach in the world sit back and think twice before taking up the job.

And as if that wasn8217;t enough, shouldering the burden of an over-zealous English media and fans scanning every bit of effort put into action, can be taxing enough.

Allan Donald, the former South African fast bower, had to consider all these aspects before he signed on the dotted line to assist England fast bowling coach Kevin Shine for a few weeks when West Indies visited here, and his stay has now been extended until the Twenty/20 World Cup in South Africa.

Given the way England bowlers performed against the West Indies 8212; Ryan Sidebottom, Liam Plunkett, Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard 8212; and with the first Test against India at Lord8217;s seeing youngsters 8212; James Anderson and Chris Tremlett 8212; impress, there8217;s much for Donald to take home when he returns to South Africa in September.

Being a South African in England is something that hasn8217;t made much of a difference to Donald, though he isn8217;t in the mould of Kevin Pietersen whose naivety with a dash of arrogance, it appears, can make him feel comfortable in any part of the world.

Donald is someone who loves the art of perfection, as England bowler Stuart Broad would tell you, 8220;He8217;s got an eye for detail.8221;

For his work ethic that once labelled him as the best fast bowler in the world, the first ever from his country to grab 300 Test wickets and the fear he brought in the minds of batsmen with sheer pace and line, Donald 8212; at 40 today 8212; says he8217;s 8220;enjoying8221; his stint here.

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8220;It does not matter where I come from. I am enjoying it here working with the England team. It8217;s a great experience to be working with them,8221; he says.

Despite having Shine who takes care of the fast bowlers on a day-to-day basis, Donald has been invited here to ensure that young England bowlers get to spend time out in the middle with him and work out on minute things that often leave a lot of questions unanswered.

Stuart Broad, who impressed in the warm-up match against India at Chelmsford with a five-wicket haul says Donald8217;s advice 8220;to put a lot more emphasis on the run-up8221; before landing at the crease has helped him get better with his judgment of line and length.

Liam Plunkett has already been heard talking about Donald helping him immensely in curbing his wides and no-balls.

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The way England has bowled in the Lord8217;s Test, of course making good use of the conditions, a lot of credit should go to Donald for the way he8217;s assisted them in the nets.