South Africa vs New Zealand 2016: Mark Boucher roped in as part of support staff ahead of New Zealand series
Former cricketer Mark Boucher becomes the sixth former international player to be roped in by Cricket South Africa in recent times, as he is now a part of their support staff for the upcoming 2-match Test series against New Zealand beginning later this month.
He is expected to join the players three days prior to the beginning of the first Test and work with players and special focus to be given to Quinton de Kock’s wicket keeping skills and also to improve the lower-order batting.
Boucher is the sixth former international after Gary Kirsten, Mike Hussey, Graeme Smith, Lance Klusener and Neil McKenzie were called to oversee the batting department and Allan Donald, Charl Langeveldt, as well as spin-bowling coach Claude Henderson took charge of the bowling.
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Speaking on the appointment on Boucher, coach of the South African team Russell Domingo said, "Mark is a guy that is highly respected. It will be particularly good for young Quinton de Kock to spend some time with him and work on his keeping and do a few fielding drills. Mark has got the reputation of having that fighting spirit and epitomising what the Proteas have always stood for in terms of being tough.”
In his remarkable International career, the wicket-keeper achieved great heights with his national side and still holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in Tests. He played 147 Tests and 295 ODIs during his 15-year stint at the International level. His career came to a rather disappointing and abrupt end in 2012 when he was hit in the eye by a ball during a warm-up match.
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It is learnt as per the reports of ESPN Cricinfo that the relatively ‘new team’ should perform well as set their own ‘benchmark. He said, "It's by no means the same team that got that No. 1 ranking. This is a new team and this team needs to try and set their own legacy and their own benchmark. It's a great opportunity for these guys to do something special, something that not many people are expecting them to do.”
The series kicks-off in Durban on Friday, August 19 followed by the second Test in Centurion on August 27. By beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in the Test, the visitors arrive in good form while the hosts will be looking to begin their home season positively and a win over New Zealand can help them secure 5th spot in the ICC Test rankings.