JUST IN: Mark Boucher has retired from international cricket

[mmadhankumar]

Mark Boucher has retired from international cricket with immediate effect due to eye injury

Mark Boucher has retired from international cricket after undergoing surgery on the severe eye injury he sustained on the opening day against Somerset. Boucher admitted he faces an "uncertain recovery" after his three-hour operation on Monday evening.

Boucher had to leave the field at the end of the 46th over of Somerset's innings on Monday when a googly from Imran Tahir hit the stumps and a dislodged bail struck Boucher in the left eye. He will return to South Africa as soon as he is able to travel.

In a statement read out by Graeme Smith, Boucher said: "It is with sadness, and in some pain, that I make this announcement. Due to the severity of my eye injury, I will not be able to play international cricket again.


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[Tru HD]

Mark Boucher has retired from international cricket after undergoing surgery on the severe eye injury he sustained on the opening day against Somerset.

Boucher had to leave the field at the end of the 46th over of Somerset's innings on Monday when a googly from Imran Tahir hit the stumps and a dislodged bail struck Boucher in the left eye. He will return to South Africa as soon as he is able to travel.

"The extent of the eye injury can be described as severe. The eyeball (globe of the eye) was repaired during the operation," Mohammed Moosajee, the South Africa manager, told ESPNcricinfo earlier on Tuesday. "The long-term prognosis at this stage remains unknown. He will return home as soon as able to travel and the selectors will announce a replacement shortly."

This tour to England was set to be his final duty for South Africa and the Lord's Test would have been his 150th appearance. Boucher will end on 999 international dismissals, including 555 from 147 Tests, which is a record.

The South Africa selectors will name a replacement for Boucher on Wednesday. Thami Tsolekile, earmarked as the successor to Boucher and nationally contracted from April 1, is the likeliest candidate to be called up.

Tsolekile recently played for the South Africa A side in the two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A and has also been named in the squad to travel to Ireland to shadow the senior side from the third Test. He last played for South Africa in 2004 when he represented the country in three Tests including one against England at Port Elizabeth.

 

[Pugazhbalaji]

he has already revealed that england tour is his last assignment.

 

[nskaran]

Great loss to SA and one of the good wicket keeping batsman.

 

[SPANDAN]

Tsolekile named as Boucher's replacement