Mark Boucher

Did You Know?

• Boucher holds the record for the most dismissals as wicketkeeper in all forms of international cricket (998).
• He holds the record for the most catches taken by a wicketkeeper in all forms of international cricket (952).
• He along with Justin Kemp set the record for the highest 6th wicket stand in ICC Champions Trophy history (131).

International career

Boucher became South Africa's first-choice wicketkeeper after replacing Dave Richardson and is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeepers the country has produced. He holds the record for the most dismissals in Test cricket, originally surpassing Ian Healy in October 2007 when he stumped Umar Gul off Paul Harris in Karachi. After losing the record to Adam Gilchrist, he regained it in February 2008 by catching Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh.

In ODIs, he ranks third on the all-time dismissal list. In November 1999, he set a record for the highest Test score by a nightwatchman, making 125 against Zimbabwe in Harare. On 12 March 2006, he scored the winning runs in what was called the greatest ODI ever played, against Australia. Later that year, on 20 September, he hit his maiden ODI century, an unbeaten 147 off 68 balls against Zimbabwe, with his hundred coming off 44 balls—the second-fastest by a South African after AB de Villiers, though he was dropped six times during the innings.

He played over one hundred consecutive ODIs for South Africa. In February 2007, he and Jacques Kallis hit Mohammad Asif for 28 runs in an over at Centurion, breaking the South African record for most runs off an over. Under Shaun Pollock's captaincy, Boucher served as regular vice-captain and led the team in four Tests, including a victory over Australia.

Coaching

Boucher was appointed head coach of the Titans in August 2016 with no prior coaching experience, leading them to five domestic titles: two One Day Cups, two T20 Challenge titles, and one four-day Sunfoil Series trophy. In December 2019, he became head coach of the South Africa national cricket team. He was appointed head coach of Mumbai Indians in September 2022 and was replaced after the 2024 Indian Premier League season, in which Mumbai finished bottom of the table.

Controversy

On 23 August 2021, Boucher issued an apology for past racist behaviour, admitting to participating in discriminatory and racially offensive activities, including singing offensive songs and using racial nicknames for non-Caucasian teammates. This led to calls for his resignation or dismissal as South Africa's head coach. Some critics stated that Boucher lacks common sense, sensitivity, and an understanding of South Africa's racial history. Further investigations revealed that he influenced team culture by addressing only white players' concerns regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, and during the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, a few South African players refused to take a knee before play.

He was also accused of poor player management toward assistant coach Enoch Nkwe, including failing to delegate tasks or provide proper clarification, making it impossible for Nkwe to work with him. In May 2022, Cricket South Africa withdrew charges against him.