Mark Boucher charged with gross misconduct, to face disciplinary hearing

South Africa have drawn first blood in the three-match ODI series with a 31-run win over India at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday. While a pumped-up Proteas side would be looking forward to registering a series win, there is some bad news for the hosts and it has got everything to do with their head coach Mark Boucher.

Boucher will now face disciplinary hearing chaired by senior counsel advocate Terry Motau. According to a statement issued by Cricket South Africa (CSA), Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau has been appointed as chairperson of the disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Proteas men’s coach, Mark Boucher.

Mark Boucher to face a disciplinary hearing: CSA

It has been proposed that the parties will meet with Advocate on 26th January 2022 to determine a timetable for the proceedings. The Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) report, which was released in December, made ‘tentative’ findings that Boucher was guilty of “prejudicial and discriminatory conduct” in the past on the basis of race.

As per the report, Boucher is charged with “gross misconduct” which could lead to his dismissal but, the South African cricket board feels it important that the independent inquiry first needs to test all allegations before he is penalised.

“CSA emphasises that any implicated party will be given a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved,” the statement read.

At the same time, CSA has also confirmed that a charge sheet, containing both the disciplinary charges against the former wicketkeeper-batter as well as his rights, was provided to him on Monday i.e. January 17.

CSA Board Chairperson Lawson Naidoo: “The Board remains mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness…"

📝 Full article: https://t.co/14vknh7Ool pic.twitter.com/pcGS18MJ7p

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 20, 2022

Coming back to cricketing action, centuries from skipper Temba Bavuma, and, Rassie van der Dussen powered South Africa to 296/4 from their 50 overs. In reply, Shikhar Dhawan (79) & Virat Kohli (51) kept India in the hunt but, once they were dismissed, the middle-order failed to live up to the expectations and despite a fighting 50 from Shardul Thakur could only end up with 265/8. The two teams will now lock horns in the second ODI in Paarl on Friday.