South Africa vs England: Vernon Philander Sustains Hamstring Injury During Johannesburg Test

South Africa have been dealt a massive blow to their bowling department as veteran bowler Vernon Philander picked up a hamstring injury in the ongoing fourth Test match against England at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. For the uninitiated, Philander is playing his last international game in his career as he had announced his retirement from the sport ahead of the start of the Test series against England at home.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) reported that Philander walked off the ground holding his leg in pain after bowling 1.3 overs. The scans confirmed a grade two hamstring tear and thus the all-rounder was unable to bowl for the rest of the innings.

Vernon Philander will be available to bat for South Africa at Johannesburg:

However, it has been confirmed that Philander will be available to flex his muscles with the bat. With two more days still in play, South Africa aims to create a world record to chase a mammoth 466-run target to win and level the series.

On Sunday, Philander was fined 15 per cent of his match fees for violating ICC’s Code of Conduct. Moreover, one demerit point has also been added to the disciplinary record of the bowling all-rounder.

Philander breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an international match.

The incident took place in the 85th over of England’s first innings on day two of the ongoing fourth and final Test at Wanderers when Philander used foul-mouthed language after removing Jos Buttler in the game. After that, Philander admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.

It should be noted that on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth official Allahudien Paleker had levelled the charges against outgoing Philander.

Read More: Vernon Philander Fined For Swearing At Jos Buttler