Mark Boucher and Graeme Smith should step down from respective roles, reckons former CSA President

Former Cricket South Africa (CSA) president Ray Mali has come down hard at director Graeme Smith and head coach Mark Boucher and has asked them to step down from their respective roles. Mali firmly believes that the duo’s departure will serve to enable peace within the team. Things are going well for South Africa ever since the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) hearings have taken place. There were fingers pointed towards several top players like Smith, AB de Villiers, and Boucher.

The former wicketkeeper-batter was accused by Paul Adams for his alleged involvement in singing racist chants during the time he was with the team. The former spinner further stated that Boucher referred to him as ‘brown sh*t’ in front of everyone. Boucher has issued an apology for any real and perceived wrong behavior.

Even Smith has been accused by Thami Tsolekile during the SJN hearings and Mali feels their appointments in CSA were not right. “In order for there to be peace, it is required for those two men in Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher to vacate their positions. There is little clarity in how they were appointed to their positions. Even though I’m a bit far from the action, it becomes clear that how they were appointed is questionable,” stated Mali as quoted by SACricketMag.

“The damage has been done, and it won’t help one bit if they remain in their positions. They need to be negotiated with and step back for a new beginning. They shouldn’t be dismissed callously, but our cricket won’t come right while they’re still in charge.”

Mark Boucher is not the most hospitable individual: Ray Mali

Mali further opined that he did not find Boucher as the most pleasing individual to work with it. “Mark wasn’t the most respectful person. I never had anything against him, nor did I meddle in playing affairs when I was president, but I do remember him as an individual who wasn’t very approachable. When I was told that Makhaya wasn’t catching the team bus, I was told it was for exercise purposes.
South Africa are set to tour Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series which is starting on September 3. Skipper Temba Bavuma has stated that he has had conversations with Boucher regarding the matter.

“We would be lying if we said this didn’t have an impact on us. It’s publicly known that members of the team have been named in the SJN testimonies.”

“Mark has addressed us as a team, speaking up specifically on the accusations against him. He provided clarity and context. It was really about keeping the guys in his confidence and providing a form of comfort.