200-up Lee tells of his admiration for Donald

DURBAN, South Africa, Mar 26 (Reuters) Brett Lee spoke of his admiration for former South Africa paceman Allan Donald after joining Australia's 200-wicket club on the third day of the second test today.

''My idol growing up was Allan,'' fast bowler Lee told reporters after becoming the 12th Australian to reach the test milestone.

The visitors reached the close on 125 for one in their second innings, a lead of 227, after Lee had taken five for 69 to help bowl out South Africa for 267.

''He (Donald) was a class act, a bloke I thought had the perfect action. That's probably why I started wearing the white sweatband when I was a kid.

''He had aggression when he needed it and then he could go back and bowl line and length. He was a fantastic role model for kids.'' Jacques Kallis anchored South Africa's innings with a gritty 114, his 24th test century, but the all rounder was unhappy his team lost their last five wickets for 12 runs in 34 balls.

''It would have been nice if I could have carried on,'' said Kallis, who was the sixth man out.

''It was an important period when that second new ball came around but unfortunately we collapsed. We didn't bat as well as we could have today and we've put our bowlers under pressure.

''We're disappointed with the way we lost a lot of wickets today, the dismissals were quite soft.'' Kallis said South Africa had not given up hope of saving the match.

''We're going to have to fight hard but that's cricket and it happens when you play against the best in the world,'' he said.

''We've got out of situations like this before and I'm sure the guys will be up for the challenge.'' Australia won the first test of the three-match series by seven wickets in Cape Town.

REUTERS OM PC2346