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Stranded on 999 international dismissals, Mark Boucher has been forced to retire from international cricket after undergoing emergency eye surgery last night.

Whilst keeping in South Africa’s Tour Match against Somerset, Boucher was hit in the eye from a bail which ricocheted from the stumps. As soon as it occured, Boucher fell to the ground and was seen covering his blood-soaked eye.

After recovering from surgery a statement has been issued by Boucher, reading:

“It is with sadness, and in some pain, that I make this announcement. Due to the severity of my eye injury, I will not be able to play international cricket again.

I had prepared for this UK tour as well, if not better than I have prepared for any tour in my career. I had never anticipated announcing my retirement now, but circumstances have dictated differently. I have a number of thank you’s to make to people who have made significant contributions during my International career, which I will do in due course.

For now I would like to thank the huge number of people, many of whom are strangers, for their heartfelt support during the past 24 hours. I am deeply touched by all the well wishes. I wish the team well in the UK, as I head home and onto a road of uncertain recovery.”

35-year-old Boucher has played 147 Tests, 295 ODI’s and 25 T20I’s, scoring a total of 10,469 international runs and making 999 dismissals. He also took one wicket as a bowler so you could argue he did actually effect exactly 1,000 dismissals over his career!

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