White Lightning by Allan Donald

White Lightning (Revised Softcover Edition of the Fast Bowler's Autobiography)

The Autobiography of South Africa's Fearsome Fast Bowler, Revised to Include the 1999 World Cup

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: White Lightning: The Autobiography
• Author: Allan Donald
• Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers in conjunction with CollinsWillow, Johannesburg
• Publication Date: 2000
• ISBN-13: 9781868420957
• ISBN-10: 1868420957
• Edition Details: Revised and updated edition, first published in South Africa in paperback in 2000.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated card wrappers, perfect bound.
• Physical Format: Medium softcover, roughly 200 x 130 mm.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Wraps: Black and photographic card wrappers. The front cover has a white scuffed patch over the 'N' and 'A' of DONALD in the author's name. There is light edge wear and whitening to the cover edges and spine edges, and slight wear to the corners. The spine is straight with the lettering intact.
• Interior: The text block is bound tight, with the edges evenly toned. The pages are clean and legible, with no markings seen.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

White Lightning is the autobiography of Allan Donald, the South African fast bowler. He traces his career from his early years through his time with Warwickshire to his Test career for South Africa. He also writes of the mental toughness shaped by his Afrikaans upbringing.

The book opens with his early career against the backdrop of South Africa's exclusion from international cricket during apartheid and its subsequent return. Donald was part of that return and spearheaded the attack after 1992, which gives the narrative a wider place in the story of South African sport.

This revised edition adds his account of the 1999 World Cup and the 1999/2000 home Test series against England. It is a worthwhile collectible copy for those who follow South African cricket and sporting memoir.

Author Profile: Allan Donald

Allan Donald was born in Bloemfontein and made his first-class debut at 18. He joined Warwickshire in 1987 and, after South Africa's return to international cricket in 1992, spearheaded the national attack. He took over 250 Test wickets in 45 Tests, and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019.

After retiring as a player he moved into commentary and coaching. White Lightning was written with the BBC radio sports correspondent Pat Murphy.