Head coach Mark Boucher looks set to call on current members of the Proteas playing squad to testify on his behalf in his upcoming disciplinary hearing with Cricket South Africa (CSA).
From May 16-20, Boucher will defend himself on charges of gross misconduct that the organisation has levelled against him.
The charges relate to the role he played in the discrimination of former team-mate Paul Adams around 20 years ago, while more recently, he has been accused by former Proteas assistant coach Enoch Nkwe of creating a problematic, toxic working environment during his time as head coach that ultimately led to Nkwe’s resignation last year.
In a statement released by CSA on Tuesday, disciplinary chairperson Terry Motau confirmed that CSA had moved for the hearing to start from 7 March, but that Boucher had requested a later date due to the commitments of the national team.
The Proteas leave on Wednesday for a two-Test tour in New Zealand before returning to host Bangladesh in three ODIs and two Tests over March and April, and it has now been revealed that Boucher intends to call on members of the current playing group to testify on his behalf.
According to Tuesday’s statement, that was enough to convince Motau that the hearing should be postponed until May.
“CSA wanted the matter to be postponed to the week of 7 to 11 March 2022 and Mark Boucher wanted any period of five days between 10 and 19 May 2022,” the statement from Motau read.
“CSA argued for expediency and a speedy commencement and finalisation of the proceedings, given that some of the allegations occurred some time ago.
“On behalf of Mr Boucher, it was indicated that he intends to call some of the players to testify on his behalf and that these players will be part of the Tour of New Zealand from 17 February to 1 March 2022 and the Bangladesh Tour of South Africa from 18 March to 11 April 2022 and that having a hearing in-between the two tours would be disruptive.
“Having considered both arguments, I agree with arguments advanced on behalf of Mr Boucher and I have decided to postpone the matter for the hearing to be held in the week commencing 16 to 20 May 2022.”
The Proteas will travel to England for an all-format tour in July, and by then, the Boucher matter is expected to have been resolved.
Source: www.news24.com
