India vs South Africa: Vernon Philander ready for any role Wanderers pitch demands | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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India vs South Africa: Vernon Philander ready for any role Wanderers pitch demands

Hindustan Times, Johannesburg | By
Jan 22, 2018 10:47 PM IST

Vernon Philander, who ran through the Indian cricket team’s batting line-up in the first Test victory at Cape Town, is confident the South African cricket team pace attack will deliver in the final Test.

South Africa pacer Vernon Philander said on Monday they don’t believe in dead rubbers and so winning 3-0 still tops their agenda despite wrapping up the Test series at Centurion.

South African bowler Vernon Philander (C) said South Africa are aiming for a series whitewash.(AFP)
South African bowler Vernon Philander (C) said South Africa are aiming for a series whitewash.(AFP)

“We want to win all three, each and every single game we play. The series might be gone but we want to win this one,” Philander said during a media interaction on Monday.

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South Africa took a break till Sunday after the Centurion win and Philander said it was necessary to recuperate from the exhaustion. “It’s always hard work playing back-to-back Tests. A 3-4 day break suited every one.

“We are refreshed and will get ourselves up and going for the last one. We took time out and spent time with families; we’ll make sure we are ready for this one.”

Asked if the Wanderers pitch will help him more, Philander said, “Roles always differ on different type of surfaces. I play with understanding of my role in the side. Last game I had to keep it tight from one end. I haven’t looked at this one.

“It will change if conditions present themselves,” he said, adding that being part of a four-man pace attack gives better clarity to his role.

“I want to keep it as tight as possible, want to bowl them out as cheaply as possible -- that’s the aim of every cricket game. The role of every bowler in a four-pronged attack is different. You deliver what’s required of you.”

Philander praised newcomer, Lungi Ngidi, who was Man-of-the- Match on debut at Centurion with a seven-wicket haul. “He is a phenomenal talent who has pace and bounce. The way he went about his business, the manner in which he stayed calm, asked a lot of questions to me and Morne Morkel at mid-on.

“It’s wonderful to see we’ve so many bowlers pumping in the pipeline as well.”

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Somshuvra Laha is a sports journalist with over 11 years' experience writing on cricket, football and other sports. He has covered the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, cricket tours of South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh and the 2010 Commonwealth Games for Hindustan Times.

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