<p class="x_x_linehight"><strong>Fit-again Philander called up for Pakistan Tests – Cricket News Update</strong></p>
<p class="x_x_linehight">South African seamer Vernon Philander has recovered completely from the hamstring injury he had sustained earlier this month and has been recalled into the squad for the first Test against Pakistan, commencing in Johannesburg on February
1, 2013.</p>
<p class="x_x_linehight">The 27-year-old Bellville born pace bowling all-rounder had picked up the hamstring injury during the home series against New Zealand. After having bagged the Man of the Match award in the first Test against the Black Caps, Philander
sat out the second and final Test against the same opposition in Port Elizabeth, due to the hamstring strain. The world no. 1 ranked Proteas had clinched the two-match series 2-0.</p>
<p class="x_x_linehight">The Cricket South Africa selectors have mostly retained the players from the New Zealand series. Paceman Ryan McLaren is the only player from the squad for the Tests against the Kiwis to miss out.</p>
<p class="x_x_linehight">Fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt, who had replaced Philander in the second Test against New Zealand, has been retained as the bowling standby, while Jacques Rudolph will continue providing batting cover for the squad.</p>
<p class="x_x_linehight">"We have given a full vote of confidence to the squad of 13 that did duty in the recent Sunfoil Series against New Zealand," Cricket South Africa's selection convenor Andrew Hudson told media reporters after naming the 13-man squad
for the series opener against Pakistan. "Rory Kleinveldt and Jacques Rudolph will again provide the bowling and batting cover if necessary. At the moment there are no injury concerns."</p>
<p class="x_x_linehight">"We are very happy with the job that Rory did against New Zealand when Vernon dropped out, while Jacques provides us with a lot of experience as the cover batsman. We have quite a few inexperienced batsmen in our top order and we feel
that a bit of extra experience will be useful should the need arise," Hudson went on to add.</p>
<p>The first Test between the hosts and Pakistan will be played at Wanderers in Johannesburg between February 1 and 5. Overall, the two sides will play three Tests, two T20 Internationals and five One Day Internationals in February- March.</p>
<p><strong>South Africa Squad:</strong> Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn.</p>
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