Boucher's injury puts cricket into perspective

England may have just demolished the Aussies, but the sky is as grey as the mood in the South African camp with the cruel twist of fate that was bestowed upon Mark Boucher at Taunton.
It seems totally in keeping with this grim English summer that cricket does not seem to be of great importance at the moment. England may have just demolished the Aussies, but the sky is as grey as the mood in the South African camp with the cruel twist of fate that was bestowed upon Mark Boucher at Taunton.
Boucher's horrible eye injury is yet another reminder about the random events that come and ruin the fanatical sports bubble we live in. A day after Tatenda Taibu announced that he was quitting the game to pursue his 'true calling' in 'doing the Lord's work,' his fellow wicketkeeper-batsman was announcing his retirement from international cricket because of the trajectory of a stray bail. At the risk of sounding ungodly, what on earth is it all about?
Perhaps Taibu can forgive the sledging he used to receive from his former rival and say a few prayers in his new found vocation. These will not be easy times for the tourists, whose main concern a few days ago was to strive for the number one spot in the world.
In 1990, the former England keeper Paul Downtown had to give up the game in 1990 soon after a bail flew into his eye during a Sunday League match. However, this was not as serious as the 35-year-old's injury which required surgery and has an uncertain prognosis.
South Africa are competitive animals and professional sportsman. There is no doubt when the first Test comes around their stance and focus will have hardened to the task in hand. However, this is a salient reminder that sport and all its ultimate preparation cannot extricate itself from disorderly events.
Injury mishaps in sport do tend to test the mettle of team mates and even foes. It seems strange to say, given poor Tom Maynard's terminal fate in recent weeks, but there have been occasions where it is harder to witness things at first hand.
Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel vomited on the pitch after seeing the horrific broken leg that Coventry's David Busst suffered in a Premier League match in 1996.
England were playing New Zealand in Wellington in 1992 when David 'Syd' Lawrence's agony was deafening as his left knee cap shattered, with the noise – like the sound of a pistol shot – reaching as far as the boundary.
As much as we like to build them into supreme athletes who are programmed to 'execute their skills', cricketers are as vulnerable as the rest of us mere mortals. What a great shame the British public will not have the benefit of seeing Mark Boucher one more time.
The more important hope is that Boucher can see properly what other things life has to offer. As Jacques Kallis said: 'It's not about cricket any more. It's about a mate and hoping he recovers fully. It puts cricket and life into perspective.'
<b>By Tim Ellis</b>
Latest
-
News
James Anderson expects England to maintain their aggressive approach
India are in control of Ben Stokes’ team at Edgbaston.
-
News
Stuart Broad delivers costliest Test innings as India take control at Edgbaston
Broad gave up a record 35 runs in the penultimate over of India’s first innings.
-
News
Stuart Broad over costs a Test record 35 runs as India take charge at Edgbaston
The tourists reduced England to 60 for three having made 416 in their first innings.
-
News
Stuart Broad makes history twice on wild morning at Edgbaston
Bowler reached two milestones, one definitely unwanted.
-
News
Test cricket’s most expensive over – a ball-by-ball account
Stuart Broad’s over to Jasprit Bumrah went for 35 – seven more than the previous record.
-
News
New England captain Jos Buttler unable to prevent Lancashire defeat in Blast
The Lightning were defeated by Worcestershire Rapids.
-
News
You’ve got to applaud – Paul Collingwood hails ‘world-class’ Rishabh Pant knock
Pant blazed 146 off just 111 balls on an entertaining first day between England and India at Edgbaston.
-
India
Superb Rishabh Pant century turns Indian fortunes around against England
Pant smashed a brillaint 146 off just 111 balls.
-
News
Jos Buttler admits becoming England white-ball captain could end Test chances
The wicketkeeper-batter has replaced Eoin Morgan in charge of England’s white-ball teams.
-
England
Matthew Potts removes Virat Kohli before India fightback at Edgbaston
James Anderson led from the front with three wickets as India reached tea at 174 for five.