Former wicket-keeper Mark Boucher to named as South Africa’s interim coach

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher is set to become the country’s interim coach after former captain Graeme Smith took over as its director of cricket for three months. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, interim team director Enoch Nkwe will continue to serve with Boucher who will take over on Saturday. The report cited a source as saying the Boucher-Nkwe pair was “keen to work together”.

Smith was recently made the director of cricket for three months as he will have his commentary assignment for the Indian Premier League thereafter. In these three months, the former captain will appoint coaching staff for the men’s national team as the Proteas gear up for a full-fledged home series against a powerful England next. It was being speculated whether Nkwe, who got his appointment in August, would continue in the post but that issue seems to have been cleared now.

Jacques Kallis could be South Africa’s batting coach next

The Boucher’s appointment news comes two days after Smith was named director of cricket for three months. Smith is supposed to appoint coaching staff for the men’s national team as it prepares to take on England at the turn of the year. There was doubt over whether Nkwe, who was appointed in August, would stay on under Smith, but that question seems to be cleared up for now. The report also predicted that former South Africa batting all-rounder Jacques Kallis could be picked as their batting coach next.

Boucher, whose career was curtailed by a dangerous injury in the eyes while keeping, is the most successful wicket-keeper in the history of the game with 998 scalps across formats. The 43-year-old has also scored over 10,000 runs for his country in 147 Tests, 295 ODIs and 25 T20Is.

South Africa were also looking to engage former cricketers with the country’s ‘A’ team. Ashwell Prince, for instance, is likely to be on a selection panel that includes, besides Boucher, captain Faf du Plessis and former convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, who has been requested to work as an independent selector.

Boucher is currently the coach of South Africa’s domestic team Titans and is in his fourth season in that role. The team has been quite successful in this time and produced quite a few international cricketers.

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