South Africa have suffered a huge blow as their fast-bowler Vernon Philander has been ruled out of their match against West Indies on February 27 due to a hamstring injury and also remains in doubt for their clash against Ireland, which is scheduled to take place on March 3.
Philander, who sustained the injury on February 22 in the match against India, had an MRI scan which showed that he has a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He has prescribed a recovery period of between a week and 10 days.
“We have to give him every opportunity to make sure that he can be available. At the same time we don’t want to be foolish by taking short-cuts. If he passes all the fitness tests and is symptom free going into the Ireland game he may play but at this stage it is too early to tell,” Mohammed Moosajee, the team’s manager said.
This is the second time in six months that Philander has been sidelined with the same injury. He was also ruled out of the triangular series between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia with a hamstring niggle but recovered in time for the ODIs against New Zealand and Australia.
His unavailability would now mean that Kyle Abbott will get a look into the side for the West Indies clash. Skipper De Villiers would also consider playing all-rounder Farhan Behardien ahead of Wayne Parnell, who was expensive and erratic against India.