Vernon Philander a doubt for second Test – Cricket News Update
South African seamer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, with the player suffering a strain to his knee.
The 26-year-old pacer hurt himself during a practice session at Durban, the venue for the Boxing Day clash between the two sides. He has been monitored since then and although the injury is not too bad as first feared, Mohammed Moosajee, the South African team manager has insisted that the final call will be made on the eve of the second Test.
"He came off and received the necessary treatment from the physiotherapist, including icing and strapping," Mohammed Moosajee said. "He will be treated overnight and he will come and bowl tomorrow, once some of the swelling and inflammation settles and if anything untoward happens, we will decide. Right now, we are still confident he will be ready for the Test."
If not deemed unfit, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LL-Tsotsobe-c1842 is expected to get a place in the side. The left-armer has been a pivotal part of the ODI team however; injury coupled with the rise of Philander has seen him relegated to the bench.
The other option for the national side is Marchant de Lange, who has been in fine form with his domestic side. He also performed impeccably in the recently concluded practice game against Australia and was expected to take a place, provided any of the first team bowlers slip up.
The most likely place up for grabs was for the third seamer, currently occupied by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528. The tall fast bowler is enduring a rough patch at the moment after being relegated to first change due to the meteoric rise of teammate Philander.
He, along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jacques-Rudolph-c1619 travelled in advance to Durban, which gives the duo plenty of opportunity to prepare for the second Test. However, the injury to Philander would be a blow to the side due to the players’ pedigree on his home turf.
He made his debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and in the three Tests so far, he has taken a whopping 24 wickets at 12.37, which included four five-wicket hauls.
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