(adds Boucher quotes)
By Telford Vice
CAPE TOWN, Jan 6 - Mark Boucher has made a shock
return to the South Africa squad for the fourth test against
England starting in Johannesburg on Thursday.
The 28-year-old got the call after South Africa crushed
England by 196 runs in Cape Town on Thursday to level the
five-match series 1-1.
Boucher played the last 74 of his 76 tests consecutively
before he was dropped in favour of Thami Tsolekile for South
Africa's tour to India in November.
"I'm absolutely delighted, but also quite shocked to be
recalled now," Boucher told Reuters from Centurion, where he was
playing for the Warriors against the Titans in a SuperSport
Series match.
"I thought my chance to be involved in the series had gone
when I wasn't selected in the second and third test squad
because we had no domestic cricket.
"All I've been able to play over the festive season is beach
cricket. I'd be lying if I didn't think at one stage that my
international career might be over."
South Africa's selection convenor Haroot Lorgat explained
Boucher's recall.
"With the series poised at 1-1 we wanted to bring more
experience into the team," he told reporters.
"Whether he will be included just as a batsman or as a
wicketkeeper will be debated."
Tsolekile had been sent back to provincial cricket to work
on his batting, Lorgat added.
Tsolekile played both tests in India and the first test
against England before making way for AB de Villiers, originally
selected as an opening batsman, in the second test.
Boucher takes Tsolekile's place in the only change to the
13-man squad. Fast bowler Charl Langeveldt, who fractured his
left hand while batting in the third test, was retained but will
have a fitness test the day before the next test.
Squad:
Graeme Smith (captain), Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Hashim
Amla, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew
Hall, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques
Rudolph, Dale Steyn.