Boucher's future in the balance

South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher's immediate playing future is in doubt after he suffered a serious eye injury.

The 35-year-old will undergo exploratory surgery in hospital after he was hit in the face by a bail flying off a stump during the tour match against Somerset at Taunton on Monday.

Boucher, who has played 147 Tests for his country with 532 catches and 23 stumpings, was treated on the field before being helped from the pitch.

The Proteas are in England for a three-Test series, beginning on July 19.

Boucher, who holds the record for the most dismissals in Test cricket, suffered the injury when leg-spinner Imran Tahir bowled Somerset batsman Gemaal Hussain. The broken bails flew up and one caught Boucher in his left eye.

The team doctor, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, confirmed afterwards: "Mark (Boucher) suffered a laceration to the sclera (white area) of his left eye.

"He will undergo emergency exploratory surgery in the next few hours, after which the ophthalmologist will be able to determine the extent of the damage."

South Africa team-mate Albie Morkel, who was not playing in the fixture, tweeted: "At the game and, by the sounds of it, @markb46 (Boucher's) eye injury is very serious. Let's hope for the best!"

Boucher is an integral part of the South Africa side, and has been a virtual ever-present behind the stumps in Test cricket since his debut in October 1997.

AB de Villiers took over the wicketkeeping against Somerset but it seems high likely that South Africa will have to call up another gloveman with Thami Tsolekile, who was nationally contracted from April 1, the likeliest candidate.

Tsolekile, who many see as the successor to Boucher, last played for South Africa in 2004 when he played in three Tests, including one against England.