On this day in 1998, Test cricket saw a more equal contest at Trent Bridge, when perhaps one of the world’s best fast bowlers, Allan Donald, and one of the best openers, Mike Atherton, faced off. It was also the most thrilling route to play that year between England and South Africa.
The visitors were leading the four-Test series 1–0 and Hansie Cronje’s ton led the Proteas to a good total of 374. The hosts responded with 336, with Atherton scoring 58 to dismiss Donald, who took five wickets. However, Angus Fraser’s quick 5/62 spell, backed by Dominic Cork’s 4/6, helped the home team bowl out the visiting team for a total of 208. Chasing 247 for victory, Atherton smashed 98 off 277 balls to guide England. for a series-level win.
However, the fight between Atherton and Donald was nothing short of a heavyweight bout between the two boxers. Both were at the peak of their skills, and that’s when the ‘White Lightning’, known as Donald, bowled a blazing fast all around and dismissed Atherton for 27. The bouncer was aimed at Atherton’s neck and the batsman took an offensive, but Donald’s delivery saw him wicket Mark Boucher.
However, much to Donald’s displeasure, the umpire did not notice it and stood firm. The two cricketers looked at each other, with Atherton being the first to decide not to break eye contact. Meanwhile, the call fired him and the batsmen could not see anything in their half of the pitch. Donald had swayed England to his tune and was constantly throwing words at the batsmen too. Atherton and partner Nasser Hussain were stabbed multiple times in the body as Donald gasped furiously.
Almost immediately after Atherton was dismissed, misfortune followed the pacer as Boucher dropped a catch by Hossain. An enraged Donald gave it his all, but didn’t get a wicket. However, Atherton survived the attack and remained unbeaten on 98 and England survived the series that they would later win.
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