Considered as one of the best wicket-keeper batters in the world, former South African wicketkeeper batter, Mark Boucher, celebrates his 48th birthday, today. The former South African swashbuckling batter is right at the top of the elite list of wicketkeeper batters, who have graced the game.
The 48-year-old cricketer represented South Africa in 147 Tests, 295 ODIs and 25 T20Is and is considered as a legendary former player of South Africa. He holds the distinction of inflicting the most number of dismissals as a keeper across all formats of international cricket.
Mark Boucher has also been the Head Coach of South Africa and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has a razor-sharp and astute cricketing brain and is a living legend, who has greatly impacted the game.
In this article, we take a look at the top 3 innings of Mark Boucher:
1. 147* against Zimbabwe in 2006
In the 3rd ODI between South Africa and Zimbabwe, Mark Boucher unleashed his fury on the Zimbabwean bowlers and smeared them all across the ground. He smashed a fiery knock of 147* runs in 68 balls and also took 2 catches in the game.
This is the second-fastest century by a South African and his knock was laced with 8 fours and 10 sixes. He batted with an aggressive intent and had a wonderful strike-rate of 216.17.
2. Jaw-dropping partnership with Pat Cymcox in 1998
Mark Boucher and Pat Cymcox stitched a fabulous partnership of 195 runs for the 9th wicket in Tests. And this was the highest partnership for the 9th wicket and he etched history. Boucher helped South Africa come out of the jaws of defeat.
Symcox scored 108(157) runs while Mark Boucher scored 78(161) runs. This was easily one of the best innings of Mark Boucher and is etched deep in the annals of history. The match with Pakistan which eventually drawn.
3. 125 against Zimbabwe in 1999
Mark Boucher loved playing against Zimbabwe and smashed another top-notch innings in the Test circuit in 1999. He smashed 125 runs while coming out as a nightwatchman. At that time, it was the highest score by a nightwatchman batter in Test cricket.
The former Test captain of South Africa played an innings of a lifetime and helped the Proteas win the game by a mammoth margin of an innings and 219 runs. He deservedly bagged the player of the match award.
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