Mickey Arthur terms Boucher’s absence as huge loss – Cricket News Update
As emotions ran high following the news of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mickey-Arthur-c1969, the former South African coach has termed the wicket-keeper’s absence as a huge loss for the Proteas as they gear up to tackle England.
The veteran wicket-keeper batsman had been an indispensable member of the side since making his debut way back in 1997, sharing the tough and happy times with professionalism and excellence which made him one of the most successful, and uncontroversial personalities ever to play the game.
While he achieved all what the national team had to offer, from emerging as the most consistent and fearsome group to mega-event chokers, he still had a desire to prolong his legacy to ensure that he ended on a relatively convincing note - helping his side claim the top Test spot.
His work-ethics had been superlative going into arguably the toughest series, against undoubtedly the pinnacle team of this generation – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013. That thought would have been backed by Boucher’s former mentor and friend, Arthur, the current Australian mentor, who recently watched his side being bullied by a 4-0 margin.
Arthur had seen the rise of Boucher at a young age, from his time in the South African domestic system and the continued affiliation both had at the international level. He helped the veteran wicket-keeper get back into the groove after being dropped from the national side, a rare occasion in the past, and such was their relationship that he was the first to offer his tribute, claiming that his retirement will be a huge loss for the Proteas’ side.
"They do need to get over it, I'm sure they will. He's going to be missed hugely though," Arthur told the BBC. "I've been in contact, and it is uncertain for him. Let's just hope that he gets his eyesight back and everything's good.”
"I was really disappointed for him, I think he finished on 999 dismissals and just short of 150 Test matches. I know he wanted to come here because he wanted it to be his real swansong as a Test series, so really disappointing it end this way for Mark.I think he's right up there. You have a look at his batting and wicketkeeping stats and they're phenomenal," added Arthur.
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