England vs South Africa 2017, 3rd Test: Vernon Philander Given Green Signal To Bat

Jul 29, 2017 at 3:41 PM

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England vs South Africa 2017, 3rd Test: Vernon Philander Given Green Signal To Bat

South African all-rounder Vernon Philander has been declared fit by the doctors to bat for Proteas in the first innings at The Kia Oval. Earlier it was reported that their pace spearhead was taken to hospital on the second day of the ongoing third Test against England at The Oval.

The right-arm pacer took two for 17 runs in 12 overs on an opening day but managed to bowl only five more overs in second day’s first session before leaving the field. He did not return for the remainder of day’s play which was totally dominated by the hosts.

Dr Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa team manager, confirmed the news and said that the bowler would remain in hospital overnight to treat a probable viral infection.

“He will remain in hospital overnight on intravenous fluids for rehydration and will be reassessed in the morning to determine his participation in the current match,” Dr Moosajee said.

Philander’s absence will be a big blow for South Africa who is reeling at 126 for eight, still, 227 runs behind England’s first innings total of 353. He had scored two fifties and taken eight wickets in the first two games of the series and was named Man of the Match for his all-round show in South Africa’s massive 340-runs win at Trent Bridge. And it was perhaps his form that forced skipper Faf du Plessis to include him in the playing eleven despite showing symptoms on the morning the match began.

Credits: Getty

“A guy like Vernon, we know his wicket-taking abilities especially on a wicket like that with grass and assistance,” Neil McKenzie, South Africa’s batting coach said after the second day’s play. “Yesterday he went passed the bat on numerous occasions. We miss his control. If you look at his economy rates, it’s not just about wickets – but that control and the economy rate – and I think on that wicket today and yesterday, the economy just shows we didn’t land enough balls in the right areas and ask enough questions.

“Hopefully he’ll be back and we can try and get close to the score – lessen the deficit and then we know how important he is with the ball. If it is going to be overcast tomorrow like the forecasts predict he’s going to be vital for us to get back into this contest,” he added.

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