BOUCHER BACKS FRANCHISE GAME AS BREEDING GROUND FOR YOUNG STARS
South African coach tells Amith Passela that tournaments such as Abu Dhabi T20 are vital for game
Mark Boucher says one need only look at Abu Dhabi to see how far franchise cricket has taken the game. The former South Africa wicketkeeper is in the capital as coach of Multiply Titans, one of six teams competing in the inaugural Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy, and he has absolutely no doubt where he stands on the international cricket v league and franchise cricket debate.
Boucher himself played on the big stage at a time – between 1997 and 2012 – when international cricket dominated popular imagination. While that may still be the case, more and more players are beginning to focus on their franchise careers.
In recent times, many South African cricketers opted out of first-class cricket to play in the many Twenty20 tournaments being organised around the world. “It does contribute a lot, and it makes the pool of players a lot bigger and stronger,” said the veteran of 147 Tests, 295 one-day internationals and 25 T20 internationals.
Boucher reckons franchise and international cricket are complimentary, pointing to the Indian experience.
“We have seen that with the IPL [Indian Premier League], how much it has affected Indian cricketers,” he pointed out. “Their selection panel has got very good cricketers to choose from.”
Perhaps referring to such players as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who made their India debut after shining in the IPL, Boucher said: “I think that [the self-confidence] largely comes from the IPL – playing with international superstars and picking up some information from them. It is inspiring for the young Indians.”
The man who holds the record for most catches in Tests – 532 – says financial compensation is a huge plus.
“Players are making good money. These things will not happen at international cricket,” the 41-year-old said. “But at franchise level it will reach everywhere – like it has come to Abu Dhabi.”
Indeed, the capital has become a hub for not just international cricket, but also high-profile club cricket.
The IPL and the Pakistan Super League have been staged at Zayed Cricket Stadium, while the Abu Dhabi T20, Afghanistan Premier League and the UAE T20x will all be played here.
Waiting to assess conditions Boucher has picked a full-strength 14-man squad for the three-day tournament, which has drawn the teams into two groups.
The round-robin matches will be played over three days, with the top two progressing to the final on Saturday.
The Titans face Afghanistan side Boost Defenders on Friday before taking on Auckland Aces on Saturday, and how his players respond to the conditions is something that excites Boucher.
“We’ll have to wait until we get there to assess the conditions,” said the man who has played in the Emirates on two tours as part of the Proteas team. “It is about performing out there in this heat and we will see how we can handle it. We are looking to take as much experience as possible from this tournament. One thing that will be for certain is it can improve our game, playing in these conditions.”
The Titans have won four out of six trophies under Boucher and the coach believes they are the most successful franchise at the moment.
“We have a lot of players who have played a lot of IPL cricket, so it is a nice mix of youth and experienced players out here,” he said. “The Titans are the probably the biggest producer of Proteas as a franchise,” he added, pointing to captain Albie Morkel, Chris Morris, Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Theunis de Bruyn and Dean Elgar.
Boucher does not fancy South Africa’s chances at the 50-overs World Cup in England next year, but added it could be a blessing in disguise.
“We are complete underdogs this time and I think we are nowhere near the best teams. “[But] it is a good space to go in out there and surprise a few.
“If you get into the semi-final or final then anything can happen. One good inning can win the day for you. We have to be at our best to get to a semi-final stage, then who knows.”
Boucher says he has not given any thought about coaching South Africa one day.
“My heart and soul is in this team as of now,” he said. “Where I’m going to be in two years’ time, I’m not sure.
“Maybe I will be able to answer that at that time.”