OTD 2007: Mark Boucher broke Ian Healy’s record to become wicketkeeper with most dismissals

It was on this day in 2007 when South Africa’s Mark Boucher went past Australian legend Ian Healy’s record for most wicketkeeping dismissals. Boucher achieved this record during a Test match between Pakistan and South Africa that was played in Karachi from October 1 to 5.

Boucher did not have a very good Test match with the bat but had a very good time behind the stumps. On the second day of the Test match, Mark Boucher dismissed four players, including two stumpings and two catches. With this, he eclipsed Australia’s Ian Healy’s record of 395 Test dismissals, making him the wicketkeeper with the most dismissals in the longest format. 

Healy played for Australia from 1988 to 1999 and made 4356 runs at an average of 27.39 in 119 Tests, including four centuries and 22 fifties, with the best score of 161*. He also recorded 395 dismissals, with 366 catches and 29 stumpings.

Boucher ended his South Africa career with 355 dismissals with 532 catches and 23 stumpings in 147 matches. With the bat, he made 5515 runs at an average of 30.30, including five centuries and 35 fifties, with the highest score of 125.

Boucher was equally efficient in ODIs, scoring 4686 runs with an average of 28.57 and a strike rate of 84.76, including one century and 26 fifties, with the highest score of 147*. He also had 425 dismissals in ODIs to his name, including 403 catches and 22 stumpings. Furthermore, Boucher played 25 T20Is and had 19 dismissals, including one stumping and 18 catches.

Overall, Boucher ended his international career with 999 dismissals in international cricket. His cricketing career came to an abrupt end in 2012 as he suffered a serious eye injury on his final tour for South Africa in England. He was keeping wickets without glasses and was hit in his eye with the bail after Imran Tahir had clean bowled Somerset’s Gemaal Hussain.

He underwent surgery on his eyeball, and though there was no damage to his retina, Boucher suffered blurry vision and retired from all cricket.

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