Cricket: Boucher is braced for a long recovery

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher admits it will be some time before he regains the vision in his left eye and has ruled out a return to cricket for the foreseeable future.

Boucher was forced to retire from international cricket after being struck in the eye by a bail when behind the stumps for the Proteas’ two-day clash with Somerset at Taunton last month. He concedes the healing process will be “a long one” and is turning his attention to saving rhinos in his native country and launching his own wine label with all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

Boucher said: “It has been a difficult time for me mentally and physically. I have lost the lens, iris and pupil in my left eye.

“There was severe damage to my retina. I have had two major operations and four blood draining operations in the past three weeks and physically, at times, I have been in a lot of pain.

“I believe I am in good hands with my eye specialist and I 
accept that attaining some vision in my left eye will take a lot of 
patience.”