Outrage over Kallis omission

Wicketkeeper summonsed over comments

By Phil Jackson   Last updated: 15th August 2007

Mark boucher South Africa 07

Boucher: In hot water

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Mark Boucher faces disciplinary proceedings, following comments criticising Jacques Kallis' omission from South Africa's Twenty 20 squad.

Kallis resigned as the country's vice-captain after being controversially overlooked for the World Championship, to be played on home turf at the start of September.

Boucher was then quoted in the Business Day newspaper insinuating the reasons were suspicious, and the Proteas wicketkeeper has now been summonsed by Cricket South Africa for a hearing.

The Proteas wicketkeeper was quoted as saying: "He's the best all-rounder we've ever had. He's saved more games than anyone realises, and he is a far better one-day player than he is given credit for.

"It is either those who have an issue with him, and have a chip on their shoulders, or those who have ulterior motives."

Defence

The 30-year-old also reportedly dismissed suggestions of a clique among the senior players having a negative impact on the team.

"Who do we want running things, the senior players or the junior players," he questioned.

"When I first started out I would see Hansie Cronje, Brian McMillan, Allan Donald, Gary Kirsten and Jonty Rhodes chatting together.

"I would simply think 'Oh, the senior guys are having a chat. That's fine. It's a good sign if the guys are getting together to discuss things - five heads are better than one.'"

He is also alleged to have downplayed the significance of the World Championships, set to start in South Africa on September 11.

"First prize for those of us who love cricket is to be Test world champions," Boucher added.

"Second prize is to be 50-over world champions. Twenty20 only comes after those, really."

The Proteas begin their campaign against West Indies at the Wanderers, before their final group game against Bangladesh on September 15.