Mark Boucher
Kolkata Knight Riders have played well this season and have got a new member now to add to their positive line up. Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin who has been injured has made way for one of the best wicket keepers in World cricket, Mark Boucher.
Brad Haddin incidentally had been playing with an injured finger that he sustained during Australia’s tour of Bangladesh, about three weeks back.
Haddin could play just one match for the Knight Riders. He would have perhaps continued with the team, only if an MRI scan in Delhi would not have revealed that if he did continue playing he could have permanently damaged his finger.
Boucher who had surprisingly been left out during the IPL auction in January this year was included in the KKR side at his base price. The KKR team management were very free to express their pleasure in having the services of Boucher. Coach Dav Whatmore said in an interview, “Boucher is a very experienced campaigner. He has got a lot of experience of the sub-continent which is equally important. He can fit into any role whether on the top or in the middle. He comes as a highly qualified player and we have this opportunity to have Mark for rest of the season. We are looking up to him to give his best.”
The KKR site reveals that Boucher was actually in a “remote location close to East London” and was contacted by his South African teammate Jacques Kallis, who is with the KKR this year. Mark Boucher will be joining the team in Hyderabad on the 3rd, probably fit enough to directly play the match.
KKR CEO and MD, Mr Venky Mysore was quite expressive about their new buy which they team considers good enough. He says, “We are fortunate to have someone like Mark Boucher as Brad’s replacement. He comes with a lot of experience and a terrific track record in all forms of the game.”
With the Indians playing well in the KKR team probably all looks well for the KKR team. Their challenge now is to win the five matches left for them. Of these three will be played in their home ground (Eden Gardens) and the two other on foreign turf.
Whatmore believes that even if they can win two out of the three home games then they’ll have a relative idea as to where they actually stand. To conclude he hinted that Michael Lumb and Juan Theron might play in match on the 3rd against Deccan Chargers.
Tags: Brad Haddin, Cricket, Dav Whatmore, Indian Premier League, IPL, KKR, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mark Boucher
