Boucher to captain South Africa, Gauteng suspend Cullinan

Mark Boucher will again step in to take over the captaincy of the South African side for the second Castle Lager/MTN Test match against Australia which starts at Newlands on Friday.

Boucher replaces Shaun Pollock who was forced out of the match for the second Test running with strained side muscles. Daryll Cullinan, the man originally earmarked to take over the captaincy, quit the side on Tuesday after a contractual dispute with the United Cricket Board and Boucher, effectively, becomes South Africa's third-choice skipper.

Even before the first Test at the Wanderers, won by Australia by an innings and 360 runs, Boucher had indicated that he was a reluctant leader. He clarified this position on Wednesday, telling national selection convener Rushdi Magiet that while he had no long-term designs on the captaincy, he was perfectly willing to take over on a temporary basis.

Neil McKenzie, seen by many as a future South African captain, has been appointed vice-captain for this Test match while Border's Laden Gamiet has been brought in as twelfth man following Andrew Hall's elevation to the Test side.

In another development on Wednesday, the Gauteng Cricket Board has suspended Cullinan pending an inquiry into his conduct this week. This would seem to mean that Cullinan will not be able to play for the Highveld Strikers in their SuperSport Shield match against North West at the Wanderers this weekend.