LONDON: South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has retired from international cricket after suffering a severe eye injury during his country’s tour match against Somerset, team captain Graeme Smith revealed on Tuesday.
The incident occurred when a ball from spinner Imran Tahir bowled a batsman, with Boucher up to the stumps wearing a cap.
Smith, speaking at Taunton, read out a statement on Boucher’s behalf that confirmed his retirement from South Africa duty.
“It is with sadness and pain that I announce that I will not be able to play international cricket again,” Boucher said in the statement.
“Due to the severity of my eye injury, I will not be able to play international cricket again. I had prepared for this UK tour as well, if not better than I have prepared for any tour in my career.
“For now, I’d like to thank a huge number of people for their heartfelt support for the last 24 hours. I now head onto a road of uncertain recovery.”
Boucher has been a mainstay of the South Africa side for 15 years, appearing in 147 Tests and becoming the first wicket-keeper to take 500 catches in Test cricket, where he has also scored five hundreds.
He had intended for this tour to England to be his final in international cricket, with his 150th Test scheduled for the third of the series at Lord’s.
Smith paid tribute to Boucher’s contribution to South African cricket and his fierce competitiveness.
“For the 14 years of your international career you have been a Proteas warrior. You have given 100 percent for this team,” Smith said.
“We wish you a good as possible recovery from your injury. As we bid you a farewell as an international cricketer and wish you well for your future, we keep you as a friend and respected Proteas warrior.
“I think now we are just more worried about Mark the person, and getting him through this.” (AFP)