I didn't even know I had contracted coronavirus: Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher, the South Africa head coach, revealed that he, once, contracted the novel coronavirus without knowing about the same. The 43-year-old veteran had some discomfort while he was training along with the national cricketers. His revelation came after one of the Proteas cricketers was tested positive for COVID-19 when the players got together on Wednesday.

The unnamed cricketer had come in close proximity with two other cricketers, who both have been sent into isolation as well. They are currently being monitored by the medical staff as per a statement from Cricket South Africa. Boucher understood what the players must be going through at the present point in time.

“Sitting alone in a room for six or seven days is very tough. I didn’t even know I had it. I felt a little down for one or two days. I had been throwing down to some players in the nets and felt some aches and pains. Covid is bigger than sport,” Boucher was quoted as saying in Times Now.

We had some tough issues to deal with: Mark Boucher

The South Africans are set to take part in three T20Is followed by as many ODIs against England, starting November 27. Prior to the white-ball series, Boucher said that the players may not “take a knee” to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Rather, he expected flags to be at half-mast during the first two games, paying tribute to the victims of coronavirus and racial discrimination in the country. He also said that players could wear black armbands. “It’s not something we have to continue to show, it’s something that we have to live.”

Boucher is looking forward to the series against the Three Lions after the hassles due to COVID-19 and boardroom battles. “We have to put that behind us. We are in a position to put some good news in South African cricket. We had some tough issues to deal with,” he stated.

“We have started afresh and restructured our values. It is all based on performance. We want to be nice and aggressive, but we need to be smart,” he added.

The Newlands in Cape Town and the Boland Park in Paarl are the venues for the ODI and T20I series over the next two weeks.