PHILANDER OUT OF SOUTHAFRICAN HOME SERIES vs ENGLAND

Vernon Philander has been ruled out of the Boxing Day and New Year's Tests against England as he recovers from torn ankle ligaments, and will aim to play in the third Test in Johannesburg in mid-January. Philander suffered the injury while playing football during a warm-up session on November 12, two days before the Bangalore Test against India. He missed the rest of the series and was diagnosed as needing between six to eight weeks of recovery.

The recovery period ends around December 24, two days before the Boxing Day Test, but without any game time in that period, the South Africa team management have confirmed Philander will not play the first two Tests. "He will be out for the first two Tests and is doubtful for the third. Depending on the recovery, we might squeeze him in for the third," Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa's team manager said.

Philander is not the only injury concern South Africa face in their two-week turnaround between the India tour and the England series. Dale Steyn suffered a groin injury during the Mohali Test, sat out the next three matches and will have a fitness test within the next week to determine his availability for the first Test against England.

"The usual rehab period for a groin strain is 7-10 days but if you rush, you go back to square one," Moosajee explained. "Dale is back in Cape Town, he is busy with the franchise physiotherapist and will have a fitness test a week from now to ascertain availability for Boxing Day."

Should Steyn recover in time, South Africa will have to choose between Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott to complete their three-pronged attack, unless they plan to go into the first match with four seamers. If both Philander and Steyn are out, and they still want four seamers, Marchant de Lange may also get a game.

De Lange is the only one of the national squad's fast bowlers who is likely to play in the first round of domestic first-class matches, which start on December 17. The rest, who all played in India, will have time off ahead of the England series. Some of South Africa's batsman and slower bowlers will also play in the domestic competition, as they look to regain form and confidence. Russell Domingo said Stiaan van Zyl, Temba Bavuma, Simon Harmer and Dane Piedt are likely to participate in those matches. Van Zyl and Bavuma are competing for the Test opener's job while Harmer and Piedt are in a tussle for the specialist spinner's spot.

The other place in contention is the wicketkeeper's role, after Dane Vilas, on his first tour as the first-choice gloveman, struggled. Quinton de Kock could be recalled, although Domingo said in India that dropping Vilas after such a short time might be "harsh". He has since also played down suggestions of big shifts in the Test squad.

"There might be one or two changes," Domingo said. "If you lose, you automatically think you have to change everything and everything is broken, but might just be one or two things that need to be changed, or one or two players are not on top of their game. I'd hate us to panic and make irrational decisions because we've got quality players."

South Africa are expected to name their squad for the first two Tests against England later on Thursday or on Friday.

© cricketonline.org

written by ~ CHARITHARDHA