KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS SIGNED ON MARK BOUCHER AS BRAD HADDIN’S REPLACEMENT

The Kolkata Knight Riders have signed up the South Africa wicketkeeper batsman, Mark Boucher as a replacement for the injured Brad Haddin.

The Chief executive officer and the managing director of the Knight Riders, Mr. Venky Mysore was upbeat to have someone of Boucher’s status in the team as a replacement of the departing Australian.

"We are fortunate to have someone like Mark Boucher as Brad's replacement. Mark comes with a lot of experience and a terrific track record in all forms of the game," said Venky Mysore while talking to the media on Saturday.

Boucher’s signing came after an MRI of Brad Haddin’s injured finger on Thursday detected a fracture and the Aussie cricketer was suggested to drop out of the upcoming games in order to avoid further aggravation of the injury.

Haddin picked up the finger injury during Australia’s tour of Bangladesh earlier this month, playing a three-match One-Day series.

The New South Wales keeper had earlier missed Kolkata’s three opening games due to his national commitments.

Though he joined King Khan’s KKR soon after Australia’s tour of Bangladesh, he could only managed a single appearance for the franchise, failing to make an impact with the gloves or the bat.

The Knight Rider’s CEO said that they are quite disappointed with Haddin’s early exit due to the fractured finger and stated that the 33-year old wicketkeeper had made his presence felt in a very short period of time and he will be missed by both the team and the management.

"We are very disappointed that Brad (Haddin) will be leaving the squad and will not take further part in IPL 4. In a short period, Brad had made his presence felt both on and off the field."

Boucher, the 34-year old former Proteas wicketkeeper, played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first three editions of the lucrative Twenty20 league.

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BARNEY GIBSON SETS A NEW WORLD RECORD IN COUNTY CRICKET

The Yorkshire wicketkeeper, Barney Gibson, has set a new world record, becoming the youngest ever player to play English county cricket.

Gibson broke the 144-year record of Charles Young. At only 15 years and 27 days, Gibson made a successful debut against the Durham MCCU yesterday in a game of the Bradford League.

Back in 1867, Charles Young had set the world record being the youngest player of the time to appear in county cricket. At the time Young was 15 years and 131 days old.

The record had been intact till yesterday when Gibson, 104 days younger than Charles, padded up against the Durham MCCU.

Gibson expressed his astonishment, defining the feat as akin to a dream. Talking to the media, the youngster said, “I was astonished when they told me I would be playing for the first team. It has really shocked me and it feels like a dream really.”

Gibson started the game at the age of 10 from his school Crawshaw, commenting interestingly about his school, Gibson says, “I was supposed to have triple science, double maths and RE. They have sent me up here with some homework to do though.”

With his sharp mind and inherent capabilities, he was noticed by the Pudsey Congs, a cricket club in England.

Gibson started club cricket with them to polish his skills, since the very beginning, his field of interest has been wicket keeping as he finds himself more comfortable behind the stumps. Gibson’s dives, catches, stumps and throws are quick and perfect.

Wearing pads, gloves and a helmet, Gibson took his position in the bright morning of 27 April and pouched the brilliant catch of Oliver Hannon-Dalby. This was a key wicket for Yorkshire. After a few overs, Gibson caught another rival batsman and thus cemented his side’s position in the game.

It was due to Gibson that David Wainwright succeeded in achieving his bowling career’s best ever figure of 6/40. The young wicketkeeper helped every bowler bowl confidently and courageously in order to pick up wickets with regular intervals.

Talking about Gibson’s selection, the Yorkshire director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, says, “The first time I saw him was two years ago in a practice match. His ability was quickly evident."

Gibson seeks inspiration from cricket legends like Matt Prior and Adam Gilchrist, the former is the English wicketkeeper while the latter is an ex-skipper of Australia and is currently leading the Kings XI Punjabfranchise in the Indian Premier League.

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