Former Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher was known as the ‘record collector’ during his playing days.
Considered one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen of all time, the former Proteas vice-captain holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a keeper, with 532 catches. He made his debut for South Africa in 1997 by replacing Dave Richardson, and went on to play 147 Test matches and 295 One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Despite his short stature, Mark Boucher possessed a competitive spirit and always battled hard in the latter stages of the innings. He was able to bat with the low order and tail-enders often getting his side out of trouble.
As a batter, he thrived in crucial moments, delivering the quick 30 or 40 runs his team needed to win a match. If the team required him to save an innings, the man known as ‘Bouch’ would bat long and protect his wicket.
Mark Boucher has made 999 dismissals in international cricket
Although he made his mark in Test cricket, he was effective in ODIs for most of his career, despite having an average of 28. One of his most memorable innings was the scintillating unbeaten 50 he scored against Australia in the 438 game in 2006.
After a poor run of form, Mark Boucher was dropped from the ODI team altogether, with AB de Villiers taking over the gloves permanently in 2011. The East London-born former cricketer continued to play Test cricket, and in 2012, he announced that he would be retiring from international cricket after the England tour later that year.
Unfortunately, the former Proteas never played in the tour following a horrific eye injury. Ahead of the tour, Boucher was struck on his left eye by a bail during a practice match against Somerset. He was not wearing a protective helmet or glasses when he was struck by the bail after leg-spinner Imran Tahir bowled Somerset’s Gemaal Hussain.
After the injury, the ex-keeper underwent a successful eye operation and subsequently retired from cricket. In 2016, Mark Boucher was appointed head coach of the Titans, despite having no prior coaching experience. He guided them to five domestic titles before he got the Proteas coaching job in 2019.
He lasted nearly three years with the national team before resigning in September 2022. He was then appointed head coach of the Mumbai Indians shortly after.
Last year, Mark Boucher was part of the television commentary team for the inaugural SA20. When not coaching, the ex-Proteas wicketkeeper is a full-time father and is also involved in the fight against rhino poaching.
Is Boucher the greatest wicket-keeper SA produced?
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