Defending the team’s decision to bat again in the second Test against Sri Lanka, Vernon Philander has said it will give them the best chance to win the match.
On Day 2 of the second Test at Cape Town, Sri Lanka’s innings lasted just 43 overs as they were dismissed for a paltry 110, giving the hosts a huge lead of 282 runs. But despite having such a huge lead against an inexperienced batting line-up, the Proteas decided to bat for the second time.
Philander explained the decision was taken to give bowlers a much-needed rest. There was only two days gap between the two Tests and although the first one finished inside an hour on the final day, Philander insisted the bowlers needed rest.
Speaking after the second day’s play, he said:“This gives us the best chance of winning the Test match.”
“We are setting up the game with the bat and it gives the bowlers a break. We are playing back-to-back Test matches and the bowlers had to work hard in (the first Test in) Port Elizabeth. This is the best way going forward for us.”
The 31-year-old also refused to underestimate the visitors. Faf du Plessis’ men finished the second day on 35 for no loss, with their overall lead extended to 317 runs and are firm favourites to seal the series. But the bowler said there is still a long way to go before the outcome of the match is decided.
“There’s a lot of time left in the Test,” he said. “It’s a bit early to go for a target. We’ve got to respect the opposition and start well again in the morning. Hopefully, we can make a decision at lunchtime as to what’s a good target and how quickly we want to get there.”
Philander, who took four wickets in the first innings, achieved a personal milestone as he reached the 150-wicket mark in his 39th Test. He missed eight months of action after sustaining an ankle injury in November 2015 before returning to action in a four-day match for South Africa A against Zimbabwe in July 2016.
Delighted with the milestone, he said:“Being out of the game you miss those moments. I just want to take as many wickets as I can for my country.”
Lahiru Kumara, another impressive performer in the match, clocked up over 140km per hour and took six for 122 in South Africa’s first innings of 392.
Speaking about his performance, he said:“I’m very happy but the pitch did assist me.”
When asked about his favourite dismissal, he mentioned Hashim Amla’s scalp. Looking to drive a delivery that was travelling at around 144km per hour, Amla missed the line as the ball shattered his middle-stump.
“It was a good delivery and I was able to bowl a great player like Amla,” he said.
Kumara also expressed his liking for South Africa’s Dale Steyn, who is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.
“He’s got a very smooth action, the way he runs up and delivers the ball is good. All in all he is the bowler I admire most,” he concluded.