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Boucher out to prove a point

Johann de Jager

Bloemfontein – Franchises playing in the local MTN40-series will come up against a determined Mark Boucher as the Warriors wicketkeeper-batsman will be out to prove a point.

Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl said on Wednesday that Boucher has been left out of the one-day side for the same reason than he was in the West Indies. AB de Villiers offered the selectors another option in the one-day series.

With De Villiers as wicketkeeper, they could pull in another batsman as part of their experimentation ahead of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Heino Kuhn will wear the big gloves in the absence of the injured De Villiers in the forthcoming Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe.

“I spoke to him (Boucher) about certain aspects of his game that need to improve. He is thoroughly aware of the reasons,” said Van Zyl.

The coach said that Boucher (33) would have to show at the Warriors that he can still do what is expected of him.

He will apparently bat at No 6 for the Port Elizabeth side – as he did when he posted 50 not out in the 438-game against Australia.

Van Zyl also confirmed that the door is still open for Herschelle Gibbs (36) should they require a batsman like him and he plays well in the meantime.

Gibbs is hoping to maintain his form by playing Twenty20 cricket in Australia and New Zealand.

The Kolpak contract of Jacques Rudolph (29) is finished and he can be picked again.

Van Zyl repeated that Rudolph would be treated like any other batsman.

“We are aware that he has excelled in England over the past few years.”

Van Zyl expressed his delight that there are so many batsmen that are playing well.

“It’s very good for internal competition and also South African cricket.”

He had to have a word with a few of the players that were unlucky to miss out and spoke to them about what they needed to do to make the team.
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