Cricket star undergoes emergency surgery after horror injury

South Africa's eagerly awaited tour of England got off to a gruesome start after their wicketkeeper Mark Boucher was forced to undergo emergency surgery after being hit in the eye by a flying bail.

Boucher is reported to have suffered a laceration to the sclera, otherwise known as the white of the eyeball.

The horror incident happened on the first day of a two-day match at Taunton.

The bail came off a ball bowled by Imran Tahir and Boucher was powerless to avoid the bail's ricochet.

Tour officials are waiting to hear whether the surgery would rule Boucher out or the nine- week trip.

But the injury could also signal a sad end to his 15-year international career.