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White lightning sings soft around Akthar

Allan Donald -- White Lightning, as the copywriters have it -- refused to be drawn into a shooting match against Shoaib Akthar.

"Winning the World Cup is more important, I'm not bothered about who is the quickest bowler in the World Cup. I'm just here to do a job and do it well," said Donald.

Akthar -- rated the fastest in the world as of now with a top measured speed of 97kmph -- is being tipped to go past the 100-kmph mark in course of the upcoming competition, whereas Donald, 32, has been timed at a personal high of 93kmph.

"I played against Akhtar in Durban and he's the quickest thing I've seen," said Donald, of his rival for the title of ace speed merchant. "I don't think people know much about him and that's in his favor, but they will certainly find out what he's about. He's very quick through the air. Good luck to him."

What Donald has -- and Akthar lacks -- is enormous experience of English conditions. He has had a long stint with county side Warwickshire and, when South Africa toured England last season, harnessed that experience to pick up 33 wickets in five Tests at under 20 runs per wicket.

"The wickets are very slow and you have to bowl an English length. That can take some time to find. One-day cricket also demands a lot more variation. There's more to it than running up and bowling a length," said Donald, about the reason why he still might steal a march or three over his nearest rival.