Philander’s form not a concern says de Villiers – Cricket News Update
South Africa’s vice-captain, Ab de Villiers, says that the team is not concerned regarding the form of Vernon Philander and is expecting the pacer to be among the wicket takers in the upcoming second Test, which starts from November 22.
Philander has had limited impact since arriving Down Under. He remained wicketless in the only warm-up game against Australia A at the SCG and further looked below par during the drawn Gabba Test, where he returned with figures of 30-3-103-0.
Having become the team’s chief operator, alongside Dale Steyn, over the past 12 months, his minimal offering in the early phases of the tour has put a question mark over his wicket-taking ability. After making a sparkling debut against Australia last year, where he claimed 8 wickets during the Cape Town Test, the 27-year-old went on to become the quickest player to take 50 Test scalps in over a century.
His glaring omission from the wickets column at Gabba just echoed the dominant nature of the home side, which went onto amass 565 runs in their first innings. However, the flat nature of the Brisbane track played its part, which hardly offered anything to the bowlers.
Knowing this fact, de Villiers is looking forward to see Philander bowling on more bowler friendly pitch in Adelaide. "He's not a concern," de Villiers said. "His record speaks for itself. The games he was won for us in the past have been the big games, and we're looking forward to the big game in Adelaide."
The poor outing suffered by the Proteas bowlers was in stark comparison to their showings of the past year, where they have easily tumbled over their opposition – the likes of Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England – en route to become the no.1 ranked side in the world.
Their return of just 5 wickets at Gabba, one of which came courtesy a run-out, has forced de Villiers to claim that his bowlers will indeed have to work hard in order to get the desired results.
"They sent a message that we have to work really hard to take wickets," de Villiers said. "This attack of ours has performed on flat decks before. These are just two really world-class batting line-ups, and the bowlers are going to have to work really hard on what seem to be flat decks to take wickets."
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