South Africa Pacer Vernon Philander Retires From International Cricket

The end of the fourth Test between South Africa and England also marked an end to the international career of pacer Vernon Philander. The 34-year-old had announced his retirement before the start of the series last month and played his retirement match at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

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Philander finished his international career with 64 Tests caps, 30 ODI caps and seven T20I caps. He scalped 224 wickets in Test cricket, a format that he was considered to be his favourite. He didn’t play an ODI after 2015 while his previous T20 appearance came back in 2007.

Considered as one of the best new-ball bowlers, Philander was South Africa’s lead pacer for years and despite the presence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, he kept his place for long. He was also a part of the World Cup 2015 squad, where he controversially played the semi-final of the tournament ahead of Kyle Abbott.

Despite quitting international cricket, he isn’t leaving the game altogether as Philander will be playing for England county club Somerset as a Kolpak player. He will probably remain the last Kolpak player in history.

Philander did not have a great outing in his retirement Test. He suffered a hamstring tear while bowling his second over during third innings of the Test and did not bowl later. Although he came out to bat. Apart from that, he was also fined 15% of his match fee. Philander scalped eight wickets in the series.

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Meanwhile, England made a stunning comeback to a register a 3-1 victory in the four-match series. The visiting team lost the opening Test by 107 runs but registered comfortable victories in the following three games.

In the fourth Test, South Africa had an onerous task to chase 466. They did show the intent but Rassie van der Dussen’s wicket meant it was done and dusted for them. Mark Wood shone with the ball and scalped a nine-for.