The veteran South African wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher,who in March announced that he would most likely retire at the end of theEngland tour in August, has now said that he would reconsider his decision ofapproached by the right people.
Though he was not looking at extending his career beyondSouth Africa's third and final Test at Lord's in August, Boucher said he wouldseriously reconsider should the head coach Gary Kirsten request him to, leavinghim in contention for South Africa's tour of Australia later in the year."I've spoken to a couple of people and they've said it's my last tour, butif people who count ask me to finish off against the Australians, then I'd haveto think about it," he said. "I do understand that playing againstAustralia is a massive competition and if I get asked by my coach, GaryKirsten, to stay on and play, then I might seriously consider it."
The 35-year-old has been South Africa's premierwicket-keeper for 15 years and has only missed three Tests since making hisdebut in 1997. South Africa are scheduled to play three Tests against Englandin July-August, and Boucher said he was pretty settled on retiring after thatseries – which would take his tally of Test caps to 150. "My mind is seton finishing after England, hopefully playing all three Test matches, andfinishing my career on 150 Tests for my country. If that happens, I would walkaway very happily.
"There is just one little 'if' – if my coach asked me –but I'm not putting any pressure on him. The only way I would go against mydecision was if there was a serious question asking if I could stay on. At thisstage in my international career, I'm finishing after Lords."
Boucher, who has taken a world record 555 Test dismissalsbehind the stumps, was this week honoured by Cricket South Africa for 15 yearsof dedicated service. "They didn't have to do it. It's not something Ireally wanted or asked for, but it's just nice to know that people doappreciate the things you do and have done for your country," he said."It was nice having my parents next to me when I received the award and Iknow that they feel proud."