SA team spirit at a new low - Donald

South Africa's three-match losing streak against Australia and New Zealand has left the team's spirits at a new low, fast bowler Allan Donald said on Thursday.

The Proteas, thrashed 3-0 in the Test series in Australia, only won the first two of their five matches in the current triangular limited overs international series and are bottom of the table.

On Tuesday, South Africa batted first and were bowled out for 106 in 38.3 overs before the home side made 107 for two in 18.4 overs.

"Without a doubt - this is the lowest we have ever been," Donald was quoted as saying on website supercricket.co.za.

"There was the World Cup semifinal, of course, but that was just one day," South Africa's leading Test wicket-taker added.

"This has been a continuation from the Test matches and we're beginning to wonder whether it'll ever get better."

Donald's run out to end South Africa's innings in the tied 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia sealed Steve Waugh's team's entry in the final, where they beat Pakistan to clinch the tournament.

"We don't want losing to become a habit. At the moment we are sliding into that category and we have to do something about it," Donald said.

"We have turned it around on previous occasions but this is the biggest test we have ever faced. If we can turn this around it'll be miraculous.

"It's time for those of us who have been there before to stand up and be counted," the 35-year-old veteran of 71 Tests and 138 one-day internationals added.

Donald has missed South Africa's three recent losses because of a finger injury.

One-day specialist Jonty Rhodes was quoted as saying on the same website: "For the sake of our national pride, we do not want to return to South Africa as the team that lost both the Test and the one-day series.

"We firmly believe we have a better one-day side than Australia," added Rhodes.

Mail Cricket Editor