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Boucher released for Cobras

Cape Town - Mark Boucher has been released to play for the Cape Cobras in the SuperSport Series to regain his form ahead of the Proteas' tour to New Zealand tour.

The Cobras take on the Titans in a four-day clash at Boland Park in Paarl from Thursday.

The two-time defending champion Cobras currently top the SuperSport Series standings with 95.44 points, with the Titans (86.68) and the Knights (81.32) not far behind.

After their clash this weekend, the Cape side will finish their campaign with clashes against the Knights (Newlands) and the Lions (Wanderers).

Boucher struggled with the gloves in the Proteas' New Year's Test against Sri Lanka at Newlands and there were rumours that it may have been the veteran's last Test for his country.

However, according to Die Burger newspaper Boucher looks set to receive a last hurrah on the tour to New Zealand.

The 35-year-old has struggled with his batting in the Test arena over the last few years and his keeping has also looked shaky recently, especially in the Newlands Test.

The next three games for the Cobras will therefore be vital for Boucher to regain his form ahead of the Kiwi tour.

With Boucher returning to the Cobras fold it means that current keeper Dane Vilas might struggle for a spot. Vilas made headlines earlier this month when he smacked 187 against the Knights in Kimberley.

In that game he achieved a world best wicketkeeping performance when he became the first player to score more than 150 and complete 10 dismissals behind the stumps as the Cape Cobras overwhelmed the Knights by an innings and 54 runs.

Vilas is therefore one of the contenders for Boucher's spot in the national Test line-up. He might still play for the Cobras solely as a batsman while Boucher does duty behind the stumps.

The Cobras have also been bolstered by the return of experienced bowlers Robin Peterson and Charl Langeveldt.

In the weekend's other matches the Dolphins take on the Warriors in Durban and the Knights clash with the Lions in Johannesburg.
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