'They will give all the support to the players' - Alviro Petersen gives his opinion on Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher

Graeme Smith, the former South African skipper recently accepted the role of the acting director Cricket South Africa after going through discussions for over three months with his cricket board. However, soon after his arrival, he appointed Mark Boucher, the former wicketkeeper as the head coach of the national team. It was an important decision taken by the former Proteas skipper ahead of the Test series against England. Now, Alviro Petersen, the former player has given his opinion and what advantages players will get for having a duo in the ranks.

Smith will hold the directorial post until the IPL that is slated to be held next year. But, Boucher has been handed with a contract till 2023. The former left-handed opener is known as one of the most successful openers and skipper that South Africa has ever produced in its cricket history. He holds the record of leading his national team in the most number of Test matches i-e. 109. In which he won 53 games and lost 29 with 27 draws. Moreover, he was a dashing opener, who amassed 9265 runs in Tests and 6989 runs in ODIs.

Alviro Petersen is happy to have Mark Boucher and Graeme Smith in the ranks

On the other hand, Boucher is arguably one as one of the finest glovemen of all times. He holds the record for dismissing the most number of batsmen in Tests with 532 catches and overall 998 dismissals in international cricket. Now, having such experienced former cricketers in power, it is expected that the conditions of cricket in South Africa might improve in the near future.

In relation to Smith and Boucher’s appointment, Alviro Petersen, the former South African batsman feels that they will offer ample opportunities to the young cricketers along with their solid support. However, now it is totally up to the players on how they want to make full use of the duo.

He took to his Twitter handle and wrote, “What I do know about Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher, is that they will give the players all the support because they’ve been there. Up to the Proteas players to use that support and translate into performances,” his tweet read. The first assignment for Boucher as the head coach will be the four-match Test series that South Africa will play against England starting on boxing day in Centurion.

Here is the post from Alviro Petersen

What I do know about Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher, is that they will give the players all the support, because they've been there.

Up to the Proteas players to use that support and translate into performances. #Thestartoftherealsummer

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) December 16, 2019