Former South African wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher has been appointed as the head coach of the South African men’s national cricket team on Saturday (14th December). He will remain in this post till the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
On last Wednesday (11th December), the Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced the former South African captain Graeme Smith as the temporary director of cricket. Now, he has come up with some crucial decisions in his early days.
The 43-year-old Mark Boucher has been appointed as the head coach of the South African men’s national cricket team. Mark Boucher was one of the best wicketkeepers in international cricket as he is still holding the record of most dismissals in international cricket history (999 dismissals, including one catch as a non-wicketkeeper).
From 1997 to 2012, Mark Boucher played 147 Tests, 295 ODIs and 25 T20Is where the right-handed batsman scored 5,515 runs (average 30.30), 4,686 runs (average 28.57) and 268 runs (average 17.86) respectively. His long cricket career had a tragic end after a ball hit on his left-eye during a tour game in England against Somerset. That blow seriously damaged his eye, and he was forced to end his cricket career a little bit earlier than expected.
Graeme Smith explains why Mark Boucher has been brought as the head coach
Mark Boucher will continue the head coach post till ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. India will host the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Talking about the selection of the new head coach, Graeme Smith said, “I have brought Boucher on board because I feel he will bring the toughness to turn a young and inexperienced Proteas squad into a battle-ready outfit.
“With his experience of a long career as an international cricketer he has first hand experience of what it takes to succeed in the Test arena. I have the highest regard for Enoch as well and I want to create a clear path for him to grow into a top international coach.”
Graeme Smith also announced some other important names
On the other hand, Enoch Nkwe has been named as the assistant coach of South African men’s national cricket team. Nkwe was the interim team director of this team when South Africa travelled India for T20I and Test series in last September-October. While the team director has been scraped now, Nkwe is now set to assistant Mark Boucher until the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
In the meantime, former South African cricketer Ashwell Prince has become the coach of the South Africa A cricket team. Also, Linda Zondi has returned to the selection panel, and he can continue this post at least till April 2020.
South Africa’s upcoming international cricket assignment is to handle the England cricket team in every format at home. South Africa-England will play four Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is from 26th December 2019 to 16th February 2020.
South African selection panel is likely to announce the Test squad for the forthcoming home series against England on this Monday (16th December). Apart from Boucher, Nkwe, Zondi, Test captain Faf du Plessis will also attain in this selection meeting.