5 players who sustained bad on-field injuries

#2 Mark Boucher

South Africa's historic series win in England in 2012 was highlighted by the highs of a Hashim Amla triple-ton, a Dale Steyn masterclass in swing bowling but all that got eclipsed by a freak injury to their greatest wicket-keeper of all time.

In a tour match against Somerset, Boucher, who was standing up to the stumps without a helmet, keeping to Imran Tahir, got hit in the left eye by a bail deflected off the stumps as Gemaal Hussain was bowled. Boucher had to undergo surgery after he was diagnosed with a lacerated eyeball.

Stranded on 998 international dismissals, including a test record of 555 of those coming in 147 test matches, he would never play another match of professional cricket again due to the aftermath of the injury and the effects of it on his vision.

A particularly emotional Graeme Smith, the skipper of the side, said the following words echoing the contribution of Boucher to South African cricket.

For 14 years of your international career, you have been a true Proteas warrior, a patriotic South African, a fighter who asks nothing and gives everything. You have been a 100 percenter for this team.