Vernon Philander limped off with a hamstring strain © Getty Images
Vernon Philander has suffered a grade two hamstring tear in his final Test appearance, which limited him to nine balls in England’s second innings, though South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher confirmed he will be available to bat.
Philander, who starred on the second day of his farewell series with 4 for 16 in 14.2 overs at Newlands, has struggled since, taking four wickets at 49.25 in 87.3 overs since that innings.
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He pulled up during his follow-through after his eighth ball of the second innings, and after bowling one more ball went off the field for a scan, which revealed the extent of the injury.
“Vern will be able to bat,” Boucher confirmed. “I believe he has got a grade two tear. I’m sure that Vern in his last innings will definitely go out and bat and try and add value to the team.”
As a general rule, grade two tears rule players out for somewhere between four and eight weeks, meaning Philander is likely to be fit in time for the start of the County Championship season, after signing a county contract with Somerset on a Kolpak registration.
There was further bad news for him on the third day of the Wanderers Test, with the news that he had been punished by the ICC for using abusive language towards Jos Buttler after dismissing him in England’s first innings. He was given a demerit point, which will count for very little, and was fined 15 percent of his match fee.
More to follow…
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo