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Mark Boucher,
former South Africa wicketkeeper, has said that it is "unlikely" he
will play professional cricket in the near future as the healing process
to his left eye continues. Boucher's eyeball was lacerated last month
on the first day of South Africa's tour to England, when a bail
ricocheted off the stumps and hit him during the tour match against
Somerset in Taunton.
He was forced to move his intended retirement, which he had planned
after the Lord's Test, forward and returned home to South Africa to
begin treatment. Boucher underwent one operation in England followed up
by five more procedures in Cape Town.
Although it was initially reported that he could pick up movement and
detect light with the injured eye and he was hopeful of making a return
at franchise or amateur level, Boucher's cricket playing days seem over,
for the foreseeable future at least.
"I have lost the lens, iris and pupil in my left eye. There was severe
damage to my retina. I have had two major operations and four blood
draining operations in the past three weeks and physically, at times, I
have been in a lot of pain," Boucher said at his first press conference
since the incident, at Newlands, where he also revealed how much his
life had changed in recent weeks.
"It does get uncomfortable at times and being a sportsman, I want to be
active and outdoors but, without a pupil, I find any amount of sunlight
very harsh and have thus been restricted to the confines of my home. It
is unlikely that I will play any professional cricket again in the near
future, which is very unfortunate as I was looking forward to
contributing as a player for the Cobras. The risk of additional damage
to my left eye or even damage to the other eye, doesn't warrant it."
Having already considered the end of his career before the tour to
England, Boucher had future projects in the works some of which have now
been fast-forwarded. He has invested in his "passion for wildlife" with
South African Breweries and launched the SAB Boucher Non-Profit
Company, which aims to help fund the fight against rhino poaching in
Africa.
Boucher has been vocal in his support for saving the rhino, which has
come under severe threat in recent years. More than 900 rhinos have been
killed across Africa in the last three years and the species is facing
extinction in some areas. Boucher and team-mates past and present, such
as Paul Harris, Dale Steyn and Justin Kemp, took part in a conservation
event at the end of June to raise awareness for the rhino and Boucher's
involvement will continue through his new foundation.
He has also started a wine-label with long-time friend Jacques Kallis.
The wine, called the Innings, went on shelves in South African stores
last weekend and reported good sales. Kallis also had the label stuck on
his bat and pointed to it in celebration, along with gesturing to his
eye, after his century at the Oval.
Boucher's role in the Test XI has been taken up by AB de Villiers in the
interim which has allowed South Africa to play the extra batsmen in JP
Duminy. Wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile is expected to eventually take over
as Boucher's permanent replacement.
Boucher has been monitoring the on-going series between South Africa and
England and tweeting his thoughts. He has also been in contact with the
squad and captain Graeme Smith hinted that they would seek Boucher's
advice on occasions, given the experience he gained over the years and
the fighting way he approached the game.
That fight lives on in Boucher and his parting words to the media were ones of hope, despite his current circumstances.
"I don't want people to feel sorry for me. Injuries happen and this
could have happened earlier on in my career. I am incredibly grateful
for the length of career that I have had and the amazing things I have
experienced and people I have met during that time. This is just another
challenge in my life and something that I will be working to overcome."
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent
Feeds: Firdose Moonda
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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