Boucher has been a champion performer over the years: Pollock – Cricket News Update
Former South African all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MV-Boucher-c2048, dubbing him a “champion”, and lamenting the circumstances under which the 35-year-old was forced to bow out of the game.
“It is very disappointing ... He has been a wonderful servant for South African cricket throughout the years,” said Pollock. “He has been a champion performer.”
Boucher, who made his debut for South Africa in October 1997, during a Test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, has a career spanning 147 Test matches, and 295 ODIs. He is the most successful Test wicketkeeper of all time, with 555 dismissals to his credit, and has a total of 999 international dismissals to his name – one short of 1000.
The upcoming tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, which includes a 3-match Test series, due to be followed by 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is, was to mark Boucher’s 150th international appearance, after which the right-hander had expressed the intent to retire from the game.
However, a horrific eye injury, sustained during a warm-up match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Somerset-c843 on July 9, when a dislodged bail struck him in the left eye, forced him to pull out of the tour, and eventually announce his retirement from international cricket.
“A fairytale ending was on the mat,” Pollock observed. “He was to play his 150th Test match at Lord’s and then retire and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-George-Burrows-c93472hen this sudden shock of an injury happened.”
“We don’t know how the outcome of the eye will be. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.”
The injury was described by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thami-Tsolekile-c2662 as a replacement wicketkeeper, tributes for Boucher have continued to pour in from all quarters.
Reflecting on the good times they had on field, Pollock (who shared 79 Test dismissals and 62 ODI dismissals with Boucher) congratulated his former teammate and wished him well, urging him to put the unfortunate incident behind him, and focus on what had been a glorious career.
“I really enjoyed playing with him and all the memories we shared ... he had a wonderful career and there are more good things to remember.”
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