Vernon Philander Out For 8 Weeks

South Africa have suffered a serious blow to their chances in India, with fast bowler Vernon Philander out for around 8 weeks. The paceman stepped on Dean Elgar’s foot during a warm-up football match in practice and twisted his ankle. He went straight to hospital after being carried out of the stadium, where an MRI scan confirmed an ankle ligament tear.

This could be good for England, who travel to South Africa next month. The South African camp have stated that their hope is that Philander is fit for the first Test on Boxing Day. Along with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, the three have combined to become the most feared pace attack in world cricket over the last couple of years.

Morkel is also suffering with a quad strain, they may not have all guns firing against England at the turn of the year. With England struggling to find a man to bat along side Alastair Cook at the top of the order, this could be the good news that the visitors were looking for.

Kyle Abbott has been called up to replace Philander for the remainder of their tour of India, and with Kagiso Rabada providing the really fast option, the South Africans are not short of bowlers, should Philander not make the start of the England series.