KKR appoint Mark Boucher as wicket-keeping consultant

Legendary South Africa wicket-keeper Mark Boucher will join Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as their wicket-keeping consultant, according to reports. He previously enjoyed stints as a player in the IPL with the KKR and RCB.

He will work with fellow South African and the team’s head coach, Jacques Kallis. Boucher, who played more than 450 international matches, was reportedly signed after the tournament began.

The wicket-keeper batsman has previously appeared in the IPL as a player. He played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2008 till 2010 before moving to the franchise he is set to join as a consultant – KKR. Robin Uthappa has served as the first choice wicket-keeper in the tournament so far with Sheldon Jackson as a back-up in their squad.

The 39-year-old was forced to retire in 2012 after suffering a blow to his eye in a warm-up game during the tour of England. Playing in the tour match against Somerset ahead of the start of the England versus South Africa series, Boucher suffered a freak eye injury that resulted in him walking off the field with a bleeding eye.

A googly from Imran Tahir hit the stumps and flicked the bail which hit Boucher’s left eye. Boucher was forced to leave the field and have a surgery immediately, following which he retired from all formats of the game with immediate effect.

Boucher, who was set to retire at the end of the tour, saw his career ending with 998 international dismissals, which consisted 555 dismissals in 147 Tests for South Africa.

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