This piece is one like I have never done. I do not usually write about sport or glorify anybody. But I feel moved to write a piece on a cricket player who, in my view, was the best wicket-keeper cricket has seen.
Today I pay tribute to one Mark Verdon Boucher.
Boucher, born in East London in the Cape Province, in 1976, he made his International debut in a test match in 1997, against Pakistan. Since that debut, Boucher has set more wicky records than anybody else. The fact that he has played for so long and been the first choice wicket keeper for most of this time, tells the story.
Mark embodied what South African sportsman are known for- the never give up and never say die attitude, especially when your back is against the wall. Small in size but massive in heart, Boucher did not know how to surrender.
His good looks made him popular with the females, his cricket ability and attitude made him a hero to many youngsters and the men loved him for his ability to save a cricket match and his cool personality. And after all of this, somehow he remained so humble.
He has played 147 test matches and averages a decent 30.30. This average betrays the number of times he has been the street fighter in the team and hauled the South African side from the jaws of certain defeat. Boucher embodies the Big Match Temperament that is needed in a player and even when he is not on form, leaving his experience and fight out of the team, is a danger. In one day matches, his contribution in the lower end of the batting was often the difference between winning and losing. In a test he could hold up his end to either pile on runs, or hang on for an unlikely draw. He was unmatched for this solid base he could provide.
Many who read this, will not be cricket fans, so I will not be too technical.
Mark holds the record for the most catches by a wicket keeper- 532 as well as that of total dismissals- 555. He surely had the opportunity to add to this with South Africa in England and vying to replace England as the number on test playing nation. His records are unlikely to be broken.
It all tragically fell apart yesterday in a warm up game against Somerset. A bail was dislodged and flew straight into Boucher's eye. It damaged the eye enough for him to require an emergency operation last night and the medical team still do not know the lasting extent of the injury.
This was probably his last tour and he would have wanted to end his career on both his own terms and on a high. He would have reached the milestone of 150 tests, probably added to his massive dismissal total and probably dug South Africa out of some dark holes.
Sadly, Mark Boucher has played his last match for South Africa and it is heartbreaking to see such a perfect example of a South African sportsman end his career like this!
To say he will be missed by the team and all South African cricket fans, is an understatement.
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