Mark Boucher reassures franchise players that they will get opportunities regardless of age, writes Ongama Gcwabe.

In the past few years South African cricket has seen a lot of its cricketers leave to play in other countries for a host of different reasons with opportunity being the most common.

I feel we perhaps weren’t setting the record straight in terms of assuring guys who’re doing well at franchise level that their hard work is being recognized.

Also, I think in the last few years we perhaps didn’t rest our senior players when we had opportunities to do so in order to make sure that when guys retire, we have enough experience ready to step up and fill those positions.

“I think the communication from our side is important. I think I’ve communicated fairly well with those players that they’re going to get a decent run,” said Boucher.

“If you perform, then obviously, the run will probably extend if you don’t perform then unfortunately that’s just what it is and you’re gonna have to go to the back of the queue.”

A tricky part in resting senior players is having a guy come in his place and scores a big hundred or takes a 10-for and you find yourself as a coach caught in two minds because you don’t want to drop a guy in good form.

Which is why I really appreciate Mark Boucher and Enoch Nkwe for having a consistent system which motivates guys to come into the side and do well, but also reassure the senior player that it’s still his spot.

“As young players coming in – you’re going to get given an opportunity, we are resting a senior player at his position that he holds,” said Boucher.

“So when he does come back, no matter what performances you’ve put in he rightfully owns that position.”

Even the stalwarts of franchise cricket who were in the same generation as your AB’s or your JP’s and were being overlooked, now it’s their time as well to call themselves a Protea before they retire.

“Not too worried about age at the moment, [No one] is being overlooked. If you perform at franchise level, then you should be able to get a chance at a Proteas level if we’re looking to rest a few players,” Boucher concluded.

This is another step in the right direction for South African cricket.