OTD| Star South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher was born in 1976

Former South African wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher is celebrating his 47th birthday today. A silent performer who remained a constant part of the South African team which dominated international cricket for a long time. Boucher is undoubtedly one of the best wicketkeeper-batsman in cricket’s history. He was an uncompromising batter with a zeal to win the match in any situation. 

The Beginning

Mark Boucher made his test debut against Pakistan in 1997 at a young age. A few months later he made his debut in ODI cricket as well. He played his first One-day international against New Zealand in Perth, in 1998. He became a regular starter for South Africa very soon. 

In 2005 he played his first T20 international game against the same opposition, New Zealand at Johannesburg. Boucher’s wicketkeeping skills were one of the best in his generation and he was one of the most complete wicketkeepers. 

The Overview

Mark Boucher had a long career where he played for South Africa in all formats of the game. He represented the Proteas in 147 test matches. Boucher scored 5515 runs in his test career at an average of 30.30. He also had 5 centuries to his name in test cricket along with 35 half-centuries. 

In ODI cricket he played 295 matches where he scored 4686 runs at an average of 28.57. Later on in his career, he made his entry in the shortest format as well. In T20 cricket he had 268 runs in 25 matches. 

Boucher took 532 catches in test cricket which is the most by a wicketkeeper. Along with it he also had the highest number of dismissals in test cricket which stood at 555. His contribution to South African cricket was immense not just with the bat but with his wicketkeeping prowess as well. In his unblemished career, he came out as a player who was always there for his team in any kind of situation.