As Boucher and Lee Retire, Cricket loses Two of its Finest Fighters

This week, which is on its way to its end, has been one in which cricket has lost, through retirement, two of its finest fighters – Mark Boucher and Brett Lee. When the Proteas star wicketkeeper-batsman retired because of an unfortunate on-field accident, the Aussie speedster announced his retirement on account of his inability to come out of his recurring injury issues. Two fierce competitors, Boucher and Lee, made the game of cricket richer with their talent, dedication, determination, and above all, with a never-say-die attitude, which could be a real source of inspiration for the future generations of cricketers all around the world.

When a freak accident at Taunton ended one of the greatest careers in cricket, South Africa lost one of its strongman, not only behind the wickets, but in their total game, for Mark Boucher was not just a wicketkeeper, but was the heart beat of the team whenever they were faced with a daunting challenge, a stiff opposition, an impossible target. Boucher’s eyes got hit with the bails while he was keeping in one of the practice matches against Somerset. Cricket enthusiasts will remember with great delight many occasions where the individual brilliance and marked doggedness of this diminutive keeper-batsman pulled out his team from certain defeats. May it be about playing an innings to snatch victory from the clutches of the opponents or batting out a day to hold out for a draw, Mark Boucher was always there with a resolve matched by few of his peers. Mark Boucher holds the record for maximum number of dismissals in international cricket with 999 scalps, with 555 coming in test matches, followed by his nearest rival Adam Gilchrist with 416 dismissals. He holds the record for the fastest century by a South African in ODIs and his unbeaten 50 against the Aussies at Wanderers in that famous ODI chase of 438, remains as one of the greatest episodes of international cricket. 

Brutal pace and soothing smile have rarely combined in a fast bowler as have in the New South Welshman Brett Lee, undoubtedly the most loved Aussie in India, next only to the great Steve Waugh. Express bowling would never be the same in international cricket as one of its greatest proponents Lee has called it a day. Four ankle surgeries and a persistent shoulder trouble have made it impossible for the unassuming and affable fast bowler to continue in international cricket. A bowler known for his genuine air speed in bowling, Brett Lee had been instrumental in making Australia one of the best cricket teams in the world. He partnered with the legendary Glenn McGrath and made the lives of batsmen difficult for more than a decade. Fast bowlers hunt in pairs and Lee and McGrath dismissed batsmen of all nations with their guile and skill. Known for his fierce competitive spirit Brett Lee was one bowler who always gave his all, may it be bowling, fielding or batting. This writer enthusiastically remembers how Brett Lee clean bowled Andrew Flintoff with a brilliant in-swinger in a crunch situation at Trent Bridge in the Ashes series of 2005. When most of the other Aussie players were thinking about an inevitable loss as Flintoff was taking the attack on to them, Brett Lee was not ready to go down without a fight and bowled a dramatic spell of supreme fast bowling. Though in the end the Aussie lost the match, Brett Lee won the hearts of all those who watched the game. 

Now that the great careers of two of the finest fighters in cricket have ended, cricket columnist and writers are busy writing eulogies for Mark Boucher and Brett Lee and let this piece be one in the same league from this humble writer, for he spent many of his leisurely time marvelling at these great players scripting their own chapters in cricket history. 

Get well soon Mark Boucher, all the best Brett Lee.

Gentlemen, thank you very much for the memories.  

Image Courtesy: Cricket World