South Africa wicketkeeper Mark
Boucher has retired from international cricket following the eye injury
he suffered during Monday's tour game against Somerset.
The 35-year-old required three hours
of surgery in Taunton on Monday night and, after being released on Tuesday morning,
it was initially confirmed he would leave the tour. But, in a prepared statement read out
by his Proteas skipper Graeme Smith during lunch at the tour game
today, it was revealed the injury had forced Boucher to end his
international career.
'It
is with sadness and pain that I announce that I will not be able to play
international cricket again,' the statement read by Smith said.
Boucher
revealed that he had intended to retire at the end of the current tour,
when he was due to play his 150th Test in the final match of the
upcoming series against England.
He
said: 'It is with sadness and in some pain that I make this
announcement, but due to the severity of my eye injury I will not be
able to play international cricket again.
'I prepared for this UK tour as well,
if not better, than I have prepared for any tour in my career. I had
never anticipated announcing my retirement now but circumstances have
dictated differently.
'I have a number of thank-yous to
make to people who have made significant contributions during my
international career, which I will do in due course.
'For now, I would like to thank the
huge number of people, many of whom are strangers, for their heartfelt
support during the last 24 hours.
'I am deeply touched by all the well
wishes, and I wish the team well in the UK as I head home on to a road
of uncertain recovery.'
Boucher suffered the freak injury
when he was struck by a flying bail while standing up to leg-spinner
Imran Tahir on the opening day against Somerset. He fell the ground and
was helped from the pitch with blood apparently coming from his left
eye.
Boucher was taken to hospital
immediately, where he had surgery to repair a laceration to the white of
his eyeball, but concerns clearly remain over his long-term health.
Mark Boucher has been a fantastic servant of South African cricket, and of cricket in general. He has played the game uncompromisingly, without being one of those who oversteps the bounds of propriety.
Wicketkeepers have an especially difficult job. When their side is in the field, they have to concentrate on every ball, and we shudder to think how many times that Boucher has squatted then risen with the bounce of the ball in his 147 tests and countless shorter matches.
And Boucher has set a high standard; quite possibly one that will never be bettered. He has 555 test dismissals, and with over 5000 test runs can be considered one of the very best 'keepers to have played test match cricket. His longevity is quite outstanding.
It's one of cricket's cruel ironies that Boucher has had to retire due to an eye injury received in the course of going about his work. His shoes (and wicketkeeping gloves) will take much filling. We wish Mark Boucher a speedy return to health, and a long and restful retirement from the game that he has served so well.
3 comments:
Fully agree that this is a tragic way for Boucher to bow out. I don't think he was ever a supernaturally talented player, but he had grit by the handful. It's a real shame that he didn't get to go out on his terms, like he deserved to.
As an aside, his departure leaves a huge void. AB is not a test level keeper (besides, they would want him at cover point) Who do the Proteas turn to now?
Thami Tsolekile is likely to be the short term replacement. But, at 31 and with a First Class batting average under 30, will be under serious challenge if younger 'keepers step up.
Cheers for that Toad. The Saffers will miss the leadership that Boucher provides as well. And with Kallis and Smith in the latter stages of their careers, they may be like Australia were in the mid-to-late 2000's when they lost so many of their seasoned campaigners.
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