South Africa’s tribute to retired wicketkeeper Boucher postponed after death of agent’s father

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A tribute to former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher was postponed on Thursday after his agent’s father, who was also a former first-class cricketer, was reportedly murdered.

Cricket South Africa said that Boucher had requested Friday’s planned celebration at Newlands on the third day of South Africa’s first test against New Zealand be put back after the death of former Western Province legspinner John Commins on Wednesday. Commins was 71.

Boucher had made the request after the “sudden death” of Commins on Wednesday night, CSA said.

“We are sorry to hear of this tragedy and extend condolences on behalf of the CSA family to the Commins family and friends,” CSA chief executive Jacques Faul said.

There were no more details released by the national cricket body on Commins’ death. South Africa’s News24 website reported Commins had been murdered but also gave no other details of the apparent killing.

Commins played first-class cricket for the Newlands and Cape Town-based Western Province team in the 1960s. He was the father of Boucher’s agent, Donne, and the brother of Western Province’s former chief executive, Kevin Commins. His nephew, also called John, played three tests for South Africa in the 1990s.

“Donne has been very close to me for most of my career and has been much more to me than a business partner,” Boucher said in a CSA statement. “She has been incredibly supportive over the past few months in particular during which time she has been a tremendous pillar of support.”

CSA said it would now recognize the record-breaking career of Boucher during the Pakistan series next month instead, while flags at Newlands on Thursday were flown at half-staff in honour of Commins. CSA had planned, it said earlier Thursday, to use the third day at Newlands “to honour Mark Boucher and thank him for his enormous contribution to South African cricket.”

Boucher was forced to retire from international cricket last year after sustaining a serious eye injury in a warmup match against Somerset at the start of South Africa’s test tour of England. He finished with 999 dismissals in all internationals, including a record 555 in his 147 tests — over 100 more than nearest rival Adam Gilchrist of Australia.

Boucher also averaged more than 30 runs as a test batsman with five centuries and 35 half-centuries. He was expected to use South Africa’s ultimately victorious tour of England to bow out of international cricket before his freak, career-ending injury, when he was hit in the eye by a bail while keeping.

10:59ET 03-01-13