South Africa Set To Name Mark Boucher As Interim Head Coach

South Africa are all set to name their former wicketkeeper Mark Boucher as their interim head coach. The legendary cricketer is currently the head coach of South Africa’s domestic team Titans. According to ESPNCricinfo, Mark Boucher will be unveiled as South Africa’s interim coach by acting director of cricket Graeme Smith on Saturday at the latter’s first press conference in his new role.

Mark Boucher will succeed Enoch Nkwe, who took South Africa to India in September and presided over a drawn T20I series but saw his team hammered 3-0 in the Tests. The ex-cricketer has been coaching Titans since 2016. Under Boucher, Titans have won a first-class title and a couple of one-day competitions so far.

On the other hand, Nkwe won the 2018-19 first-class and T20 championships as the Highveld Lions coach, and guided the Jozi Stars to triumph in the inaugural edition of the Mzansi Super League last year. The former Lions coach is expected to be named Boucher’s assistant with Jacques Kallis set to come on board as a batting consultant.

Tough task for Mark Boucher:

While Mark Boucher would be excited for his first international assignment, he would be well aware of the herculean task in front of him. The 43-year old is taking over at a time when nothing much is going right for South Africa on and off the field. South Africa have lost five Test matches in a row following a forgettable performance at the 2019 World Cup.

Off the field, Cricket South Africa’s CEO stands suspended over allegations of misconduct. There are also widespread calls for the board to revamp itself. Boucher, nonetheless, definitely knows a thing or two about what it needs to succeed in international cricket. He was a part of the South African team that was one of the best of its time.

Boucher was a key member of the side. Overall, he represented the Proteas in 147 Tests, 295 ODIs and 25 T20Is. He last played for South Africa in March 2012 before an eye injury ended his career.

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