South Africans focused on winning the series says http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vernon-Philander-c2753 – Cricket News Update
Vernon Philander, the right-arm fast bowler, has stated that the South Africans are not moaning over the drawn Test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 at the University Oval, Dunedin. According to the 26-year-old pacer, the Proteas have set their focus on the remaining
games and want to win the series.
South Africans were poised to win the first Test match against the Kiwis, with the tourists needing eight wickets on the final day, but nature played its part, and the fifth day was washed away due to rain.
With the resultant draw, the Proteas also lost their chance to dethrone England as the top team in International Cricket Council’s (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, currently placed at second, would have become the number one side, had they defeated New
Zealand 3-0 in the ongoing Test series.
Philander said, “It was a pity that the rain came down on the final day, we obviously fancied our chances to take eight wickets on the day but unfortunately rain had the last say. We would have loved to win it 3-0 but for us a series win is just as important.”
In a great start to his international career, the speedster has so far represented the South Africans in 5 Test matches, claiming 35 scalps at an impressive average of 14.22.
The tour of New Zealand is Philander’s first away tour. The 26-year-old has had a good start to the series taking five wickets in the first Test match. The speedster finds the conditions a bit different from home, but it is not something that he can’t adjust
himself to.
He said, “The conditions over here are a touch slower than what we have back home. I think for me it is key to bowl it slightly shorter than what I usually do back home. I always back myself to get something out of the wicket and with the new ball it is
obviously a big plus for me.”
The second Test match of the series begins on Thursday, March 15 and will be played at Hamilton.
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