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Firdose Moonda
October 17, 2011
Mark Boucher, the South Africa wicketkeeper, has come to epitomise the rivalry between South Africa and Australia. Besides his unbeaten half-century in that 438 game, a knock that took South Africa over the line, its Boucher's bull-dog personality and dogged determination that represents the intensity of the contest between the two nations. Having made his name as a fighter, Boucher is expected to play a key role in the upcoming ODI series and has a good reason to resume the battle in a big way.
"There will probably bit a little extra niggle in this series," Boucher said in Centurion. "Personally, having been out of the system for a while, in the one-day format, I am up for it."
Boucher, AB de Villiers, the team has replaced wicketkeeper de Villiers, then broke a finger during the Royal Challengers Bangalore training in the Champions League. Boucher had already played in the ODI in June last year, and was left off the team, who has traveled the World Championships in February. The age was not on his side, Boucher was thought to have been the end of his playing career over-limited, but repeatedly said he was interested in making a comeback. His experience is something South Africa has been, and will welcome this important addition to the series, the opening bowler Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis all-rounder.
"When the likes of Kallis, Steyn, [Ricky] Ponting, [Michael] Hussey and [Michael] Clarke, improves the level of cricket," said Boucher. "We played against each other until we know what to expect, know it will be really hard."
Like Boucher, Ponting will be closely monitored as it enters the twilight years. Without the responsibility of leading hand, some believe Ponting is an easy target, but Boucher said he did not expect to be vulnerable to all Ponting. "It's a fantastic player, he has nothing to prove, to come as a guy who is not a captain. If anything, it is probably more dangerous," said Boucher. "It is probably more relaxed, he did not have to worry about what media commentary. Just Ponting along with his game with this kind of thinking can be very dangerous."
With top players left on both sides, there is a feeling that the real competition begins Wednesday, when the first ODI gets underway. Boucher said that if it is an advantage to have a massive return, Twenty20 cricket is not ignored, and the extract T20 Series set the tone for the rest of the trip. "You can not obliterate Twenty20 is a game where you represent your country. Twenty20 is a part of the game now," he said.
The T20 also gave both teams an opportunity to assess their strength and bench test the younger players. For Australia, it was particularly beneficial as Patrick Cummins had the opportunity to announce his arrival in international cricket. However, anyone who missed the opportunity, David Warner, who returned from back-to-back centuries in the Champions League for New South Wales, to record back-to-back ducks against the South Africa. Boucher said he was a little rude awakening for the Australian opener. "It is against opening bowlers in Steyn quality, [Morne] Morkel, [Wayne] Parnell under different conditions," he said. "He is probably desperate for some form as well."
Warner can feel the pressure to produce in the near future and, as Mitchell Johnson, who trouble the batsmen in South Africa when he was last here in 2009, but has gone through difficult times. Boucher expects Johnson to recover. "And 'the danger of a man," he said. "We can go through the entire Australian team and I can say the same for everyone. All these guys are under pressure and things you want to do, and sometimes pressure situations bring the best of the best players in the world and he is certainly up there. "
South Africa are also under pressure. Less than Gary Kirsten, is expected to show an improvement, especially in ODIs, and represent some of the disappointment experienced in the World Cup. Although Kirsten is responsible for a team only two games, Boucher said the players are already benefiting from his presence. "He is a respected man, not only in South Africa, but around the world," said Boucher. "When he speaks, you listen. He is respected and not at all stupid, please." Kirsten also bring a little 'peace of mind of the team, you feel the heat. "He is very calm and relaxed, and detaches players. Sometimes it can be nervous, the coach, the guy hands everywhere, but Gary is very calm."
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