Cricket: Boucher eager to seize chance after SA test recall

JOHANNESBURG - Former South Africa vice-captain Mark Boucher says it will feel like his test cricket debut if he plays against England in the fourth test starting on Thursday.

Boucher, capped 76 times, has not figured in the series after being left out of the first test in favour of Thamo Tsolekile and subsequently AB de Villiers.

The 28-year-old, also dropped for last year's tour of India, was named in South Africa's squad for the fourth of the five-test series at the Wanderers.

"I was prepared to work for a long time -- a couple of years -- to get back into the team, so it was a big surprise to get back at this stage. But I guess the selectors looked at my experience and felt they needed it," Boucher said today.

"In a way it will be like my debut all over again, except it's more exciting. I feel like a youngster again."

Boucher, who is approaching 3000 test runs, said he was sure when the 20-year-old de Villiers came into the side that his chances of playing in the current series had gone.

"I rate AB as a serious player with a lot of talent and flair and when he kept wicket I started to feel dropped and out of the loop," Boucher said.

"It was tough watching the guys playing while I was on the beach."

Boucher and De Villiers are likely to play in the fourth test.

"I know what it takes to perform at international level and I can lift my game when necessary," he said.

"I feel in form, I'm hitting the ball well and I've had lots of starts -- 40s and 60s -- in domestic cricket."

Boucher said he did not believe some reports that he had been dropped because he had become complacent and a poor influence in the dressing room.

"There was no way I ever put on that South African cap and felt complacent and everything was fine in the dressing room as far as I was concerned.

"I think first and foremost the reason I was dropped was a question of form. Starting with a bad tour to New Zealand, I was not performing with the bat, although I felt my wicketkeeping was pretty good.

"I've had time to reflect and change the way I look at cricket. I'm also going to try and bat more for time and not play so many shots."

- REUTERS