The ongoing saga of Allan Donald's fitness, or lack of it, took another twist with the admission by South Africa's captain Shaun Pollock that Donald is still suffering from an injury despite playing in the latest tour match against New South Wales. "He's still battling with his foot," said Pollock, who refused to be drawn on whether Donald would play in the second Test against Australia starting on Boxing Day. "It would have been nice if he came through the warm-up match pain-free."

Donald has had a wretched tour so far, taking one wicket at a cost of 191 runs and sustaining a string of niggling injuries. He broke down during his first appearance after complaining that he was under-prepared, and he also sustained a toe injury as a result of wearing a new pair of boots.

In the latest match against NSW he looked extremely rusty, and in the second innings his two two-over spells went for 27 runs.

If he is ruled out for Melbourne then he will almost certainly sit out the final Test which starts just three days after the end of that match. His inclusion in the tour party was always a gamble, and it looks to have been one which hasn't paid off.

South Africa's other worry is the form of allrounder Lance Klusener, who made a pair against NSW. "That will be a discussion point," Pollock admitted. "We're aware that Lance is in the side as a batter - that's how the No. 6 position is decided and that's something we have to go back and discuss."

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