Vernon Philander’s performance with the new ball on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion illustrates his high value in the longer format, writes Alasdair Fraser.
Sporting a new hairstyle, one almost thought we were back in 2011 given the steady diet of pin-point seam bowling from the Big Vern.
Five overs bowled, five maidens, zero runs and one wicket. Pretty much sums up the opening spells of Philander’s Test career since 2011.
By the time he had claimed the prized scalp of England captain, Joe Root, the figures read 2/1. Remarkable. I bet Philander was annoyed by that single, such is his penchant for being miserly in the runs column.
With Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada steaming in at 149km-plus, the subtleties of Big Vern ring true.
England pretty much struggled whenever Philander had the red cherry perfectly placed with the seam up in his right hand.
But the value he brings with the bat played a huge role in Quinton de Kock plundering 95 runs in what looks thus far as a pretty good knock considering England’s early top-order struggles on Day 2.
Apart from Philander’s obvious success with the ball, his ability to score decent amounts of runs often helped his team win crucial Test matches. My Christmas wish is a maiden ton as a farewell gift. Wouldn’t that be great send-off? Oh, and a first series win at home against England since 2000.
While we should savour every over that Big Vern delivers in the coming weeks of this already absorbing series, the Proteas’ coaching team needs to come up with a masterplan to fill the massive void Philander will leave.
South Africa have been crying out for a genuine allrounder for some time now and the Big Vern’s departure could see at least two being blooded in the same XI in the coming years.
One being a stronger batsman and one being more adept with the ball would suffice. Perhaps playing in tandem to accompany the future new-ball pairing of Rabada and Ngidi and the raw pace of Nortje.
Philander ended his effort with two more wickets, to post figures of 4/16 which saw England skittled for 181.
It’s going to be bleak without the Big Vern. Our attack will lack a senior paceman but it’s time for the next generation to take the reins and carry the Proteas into a new decade.
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