Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola announced officially on Monday that Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher had been rewarded for recent good performances by being reinstated as an A+ contract player.
”Mark has regained his A+ contract following some outstanding performances and for his overall contribution to the Proteas’ team effort during the 2006/2007 season so far,” Majola said.
”Mark’s A+ contract was amended to A after he was dropped for the tour to India in November 2004, after a loss of form and a decline in his very high standards.
”He was told at the time that should he regain his previous form, he would be reselected and then his contract would be reviewed annually.
”Mark returned to the team for the fourth Test against England at Johannesburg in January 2005 and he has been working very hard.
”His commitment and skills have come to fruition again during this season. His batting averages for Tests and ODIs so far this season are 46,50 and 65,25 respectively, and he has taken a number of superb catches that have turned matches for the Proteas.
”Two of his stand-out innings were the 50 off 43 balls that helped set a new world record against Australia at Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium in the final match of the Standard Bank ODI Series, and his 69 off 98 balls was a major factor in the Proteas’ win against Pakistan to reach the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy.
”Consequently, we have taken the unusual step of reviewing and upgrading his contract before the end of the season.
”Mark is now back on A+ together with Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini”.
Boucher was told the news by Majola over the weekend during the ICC Champions Trophy in India.
He said in a statement on Monday that he was very pleased to regain his A+ contract.
”I’ve worked really very hard at my game and have been rewarded with more consistency,” said Boucher.
Twenty-nine-year-old Boucher was recently named by the Mutual & Federal SA Cricket Annual 2006 as one of South Africa’s Five Cricketers of the Year for the third time. — Sapa