Allan Donald made a dream ODI debut when South Africa returned to international cricket – 30 years ago today – after 21 years of isolation.

The South Africans played a three-match ODI series in India from 10-14 November 1991.

The team was captained by Clive Rice, who made his official international debut (having previously represented SA in rebel series during isolation) at the age of 42.

SA’s first-ever ODI was played in front of 90,000 fans at Eden Gardens in Calcutta.

India won the match by three wickets, after chasing down the visitors’ 177-8 in just 40.4 overs.

Donald, the 25-year-old fast bowler, starred for South Africa, taking 5-29 in 8.4 overs. Kepler Wessels top-scored for SA with the bat, making 50 off 95 balls, while Adrian Kuiper scored 43 off 64 balls.

India won the second ODI in Gwalior by 38 runs, before Rice’s men claimed an eight-wicket victory in the third ODI in New Delhi. Half-centuries from Wessels (90), Peter Kirsten (86*) and Kuiper (63*) ensured they reached their target of 288 with 20 balls remaining.

SA squad: Clive Rice (c), Jimmy Cook, Allan Donald, Clive Eksteen, Andrew Hudson, Peter Kirsten, Adrian Kuiper, Craig Matthews, Brian McMillan, Dave Richardson (wk), Tim Shaw, Richard Snell, Kepler Wessels, Mandy Yachad.

Photo: David Munden/Popperfoto/Getty Images