As hope is fading fast that South African fast bowler Vernon Philander will feature on the English county circuit, the chances are increasing that he might feature for South Africa A against Australia.
Philander is an indispensable part of South Africa’s immediate test plans and was contracted for another two years in January 2016. But he has been a victim of a long-term injury and limited game time, while the plans to re-insert him into the line-up of Nottingham suffered a setback when the Australian fast bowler Jackson Bird got the nod ahead of him.
According to Arthur Turner, Philander’s agent, Bird was preferred because he was available for the whole season and had not been injured recently. Philander only played in three first-class matches the past season, featuring with a match haul of 5-68 for Western Province and nipping out five batsmen at a strike-rate of 39.6 in two matches for the Cape Cobras.
The 30-year old bowler also featured very infrequently for South Africa in 2015 and operated for 93 overs, taking two wickets in four matches.
“Any player who doesn’t play Indian Premier League, for a county or South Africa will be available for (South Africa A) selection and that includes Vernon,” said Zondi.
He said there will be a clearer picture on Friday 20th May about the composition of the SA A-team to Australia.
Allan Donald, a South African fast bowling legend and former national bowling coach, recently warned that Philander had lost some of his nip away from and into the right-hander in his latter spells as he could not sustain that ideal speed of between 136 and 138 km/h which makes him such a wonderful spearhead in opening spells. He also warned that Philander requires an extended time in the middle in order to regain his bowling rhythm. “Just remember, New Zealand (who is visiting South Africa in August) won’t be a push-over,” he added.
André Nel, a former South African fast bowler, said it is not ideal that bowlers are managed by resting them due to what some call extended work-loads. He said bowlers don’t improve by sitting on the side-lines. You cannot expect bowlers to operate for 10 overs a week and then bowl 70 overs or more in a test. You also manage bowlers by hardening them and allowing them to spend time in the middle.
“The problem is that you cannot match the intensity of match conditions by bowling in the nets. That is why it is imperative to spend time in the middle,” he said.
Philander captured 100 wickets in his first 19 test for South Africa, and 24 in his past 13 appearances in white uniform.
Zondi confirmed that Dale Steyn won’t be in action for South Africa A, but will spend time on more rehabilitation prior to the test series against New Zealand.
