by Mark Boucher (Jonathan Ball)
Mark who? Is possibly what a lot of cricket followers muttered among themselves when Mark Boucher was fast-tracked into the Proteas squad as a fresh-faced 20-year-old in 1997 as cover for wicketkeeper, Dave Richardson.
But 16 years down the line and many milestones and records later, Boucher can look back on his international career with pride and satisfaction. He’s had his ups and downs – hitting the winning runs in the 438 match against Australia at the Wanderers and having his career cut short by a freak accident in a warm-up match.
Bouch – Through My Eyes traces his considerable sporting career from his time as a sports-mad school boy in East London to his “forced” retirement on the eve of his final tour of England.
The book gives a fascinating insight into one of South African sport’s true warriors who built a reputation as the man the Proteas turned to when the chips were down… and he very rarely let them down. And as the book confirms, Boucher thrived on that responsibility.
Boucher covers everything, from his run-in and consequent spikey relationship with Darryl Cullinan; his account of the fall of Hansie Cronjé and the King Commission; the three World Cups he played in; the 438 game; being dropped; the IPL; and beating England and Australia in their own backyards.
Boucher gives his forthright opinion on the state of the game and its administration and he offers a refreshingly candid assessment of many of his former teammates.
The book details Boucher’s rise to a senior member of the team and is sprinkled with many entertaining stories and anecdotes about himself and teammates.
For those of us who have followed the national team since its readmission in 1990, Boucher became the epitome of the never-say-die South African sportsman.
This book is a chance for someone who had one of the best seats in the house (behind the stumps) for 14 years, to give us an insider’s take on how the Proteas gradually climbed to top the Test rankings ladder.
Boucher tells of the trauma of his eye injury and the intensive surgery that followed. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Boucher has now channelled most of his energy into raising funds and awareness for rhino conservation.
For those with sports-mad friends or family members, this book is a must for their Christmas stockings.