Former Proteas coach Arthur salutes 'phenomenal' Boucher

Boucher had to undergo three hours of surgery after being struck in the left eyeball by a bail on the first day of South Africa's opening match of their tour of England against Somerset at Taunton on Monday.

Mickey Arthur

"I was really disappointed for him," Arthur, now coaching Australia, told BBC Radio ahead of the fifth one-day international against England at Old Trafford here yesterday.

"I know he wanted to come here because he wanted it to be his real swansong as a Test series, so it is really disappoint
ing to end this way for Mark."

Arthur, who worked with Boucher at both domestic and international level, added: "I have lots of memories as his coach, too many memories.

"I think he's right up there (with the best wicketkeepers), you have a look at his batting and wicketkeeping stats and they're phenomenal."