Port Elizabeth, South Africa: South Africa seamer Vernon Philander will miss the second Test against New Zealand because of a recurring left hamstring injury when it starts later this week.
Cricket South Africa said Philander experienced hamstring tightness on the final day of the first Test last week in Cape Town, where he was the man of the match, and will need seven to 10 days to recover. The second match starts on Friday in Port Elizabeth.
Vernon Philander (right). Reuters
Team manager Mohammed Moosajee said on Tuesday that Philander was responding to treatment but “we feel it’s unlikely that he’ll recover in time for this week’s test match. Besides, with the Pakistan series less than a month away, it’s not worth the risk of aggravating the injury,” Moosajee said.
CSA said Rory Kleinveldt would come into South Africa’s lineup and win his third test cap in place of Philander, who will now get the chance to recover fully for the three-test home series against Pakistan next month.
The 27-year-old Philander took 5 for 7 as New Zealand was bowled out for 45 in the first test at Newlands to set up South Africa’s innings win, continuing a hugely successful start to his test career in which he has taken 74 wickets in just 13 matches at an impressive average of 17.40.
Last year, Philander was the equal second fastest bowler ever to take 50 test wickets and the fastest in more than 100 years, taking seven matches to reach the mark.
Philander has been regularly troubled by his left hamstring, which flared up again before the start of the New Zealand series only for the right-arm seamer to pass a late fitness test to play in the first Test.
AP
