Watching Vernon Philander bowl is a sheer delight, says Graeme Smith – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vernon-Philander-c2753 in the second Test of the three-match series against Pakistan at Cape Town but feels that the right-arm seamer has room to improve.
Since making his Test debut in 2011 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, Philander has been a revolution for the Proteas. So far, the cricketer from Bellville has picked up 87 scalps in merely 15 Tests, which is an extra-ordinary achievement at the highest stage of the sport.
His bowling average at the present moment is just 16.81 runs per victim.
In the just-finished second Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598 and company.
Smith is ecstatic to have a bowler of Philander’s quality in his ranks and claims that the 27-year-old cricketer is going to get better with the passage of time. The opening batsman feels that talented pacer has immaculate control over his line and length
and can move the ball at will.
The South African skipper, who usually fields at first slip, expressed that witnessing Philander bowl closely is a sheer delight.
"Vern has got the results but he is still a work in progress. I think he can get better. I think he himself would like to see his pace up a little bit,” he said. “Outside of that his skill factor is immense. The seam action that he gets out of his hand...
the questions he asks batters. It's great to stand at slip and watch that happen.”
Smith is of the opinion that Philander needs to improve his pace in order to become more effective with the old ball. Currently, the right-arm seamer is a lot more threatening with the new cherry.
“If he can pick up a little bit of pace, which he has definitely got, his old ball spells will get even better,” South Africa’s Test captain added.
Philander is presently played only in the longer format of the game. It remains to be seen that he is able to find a place in the limited-overs squad to take on Pakistan or not.
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