South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald could face disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council after criticising umpire Mervyn Kitchen for decisions made during the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.

Umpire Kitchen gave controversial decisions against South Africa batsman Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes before England triumphed by eight wickets to level the series, and Kitchen was later reported as saying that it may be his last Test.

But as the tourists make their final preparations before the series decider at Headingley on Thursday, Donald has inflamed the controversy by saying: "Right from the word go the umpires were put under tremendous pressure.

"I think Merv has realised that he had a few shockers . . . well, a few shocking decisions that he did make in that Test match which swung it. These kind of things are pressure beyond belief - he just looked to me like he was struggling.

"For a man to admit that he has made some bad mistakes and then said that maybe he should hang up the boots . . . if it comes from the heart he must really mean it.

"If you lose your concentration you're messing with people's careers. One decision in the heat of the moment can swing a game."

His outburst is sure to lead to action from the ICC, who fined Mark Ramprakash 25 per cent of his match fee and imposed a one-Test ban suspended for six months after he disputed a decision during the Lord's Test.