Mark Boucher of South Africa was forced to retire from international cricket because of an eye injury on Tuesday July 10, 2012, suddenly ending the career of the most successful wicketkeeper in tests. South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has retired from international cricket after sustaining an eye injury during the tour of England. "You leave us today with sad hearts, but also with a deep gratitude for your contributions to our team, and to us as people. I am deeply touched by all the well wishes.

news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site. (AP Photo/Francois Steenkamp, File)Source:AP. Boucher had to undergo three hours of surgery on a "laceration" to the white of the left eyeball on Monday night after being struck by a bail on day one of the Proteas' tour match at Taunton.The incident occurred when a ball from spinner Imran Tahir clean bowled Gemaal Hussain, with Boucher stood up to the stumps and wearing a cap instead of a helmet.He immediately hit the ground and was helped from the pitch with blood apparently coming from his eye.The 35-year-old was due to return home after being released from hospital on Tuesday morning and Smith, speaking at Taunton, read out a statement on Boucher's behalf that confirmed his retirement from South Africa duty. Boucher's injury was different and caused when Gemaal Hussain had a slog at a length ball from South Africa's leg-spinner Imran Tahir. "Mine was an impact injury as opposed to laceration and it was initially treated as a brain injury.

You have given 100 percent for this team,'' Smith said. Retirement had to be called a bit early, but thanks to everyone for all the good times and tough times. Not every batsmen wore helmets in those days, let alone wicket-keepers, while players wearing sunglasses was unheard of, which meant there was nothing to protect Downton when John Emburey speared in a yorker at Julian Wood and the bail flew up into his left eye. Given the reverence sportsmen and women are held in by that country, Downton feels he will have little trouble moving on successfully into another field. The three-time South African player of the year (1998, 2000 and 2006) finishes with a Test batting average of 30.30, having scored 5515 runs, and a one day international batting average of 28.57, from 4686 runs scored. Mark Boucher suffers eye injury in South Africa tour match. Mark Boucher of South Africa, left, walks off the field after being struck in the eye by a bail during a tour match between Somerset and South Africa on 9 July. ', "I'd been contemplating what to do next and had spent half a dozen winters working for James Capel in the City, so the injury pushed me into making a decision. The freak accident involving former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher left his eye less severely injured than initially thought, doctors said after he underwent a … ", Team-mate Jacques Kallis added: "All we can do is to be there and support him. "You can't beat the intense pleasure of doing something that you're good at in a high intensity atmosphere. Like Downton, Boucher, who began his career in 1995, wasn't wearing a helmet or sunglasses. After visiting Boucher in hospital, South Africa's team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee told Cricinfo: "The extent of the eye injury can be described as severe. He scored valuable runs and used to get South Africa out of trouble on numerous occasions coming in at number seven.". Mark Boucher of South Africa was forced to retire from international cricket because of an eye injury on Tuesday July 10, 2012, suddenly ending the career of the most successful wicketkeeper in tests. "For the 14 years of your international career, you have been a true Proteas warrior, a patriotic South African, a fighter who asks nothing and gives everything. "I think there is an adjustment period after cricket where you say things like 'I used to be a professional cricketer,' but after few years you move on to say 'well, now I do this. "Due to the severity of my eye injury, I will not be able to play international cricket again. "The fighting spirit you brought to the team remains with us. Boucher suffered a serious eye injury on 9 July 2012, after being struck on his left eye by a bail. SOUTH Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has retired from international cricket after suffering a severe eye injury during his country's tour match against Somerset, team captain Graeme Smith has revealed.