We've Made Adjustments In Order To Move On, Says Vernon Philander On AB de Villiers' Absence

South Africa’s pace-spearhead Vernon Philander, on Tuesday (July 4), insisted that the Proteas have learnt to cope up without AB de Villiers.

One of the best batsman in the world right now, de Villiers has taken an indefinite break from the longest format of the game. The 33-year old had missed the Test series against Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand due to an elbow injury but returned to white ball cricket earlier this year. And although he was plying his trade in the limited-overs format, he ruled himself out of the upcoming Test series against England.

We've Made Adjustments In Order To Move On, Says Vernon Philander On AB de Villiers' Absence
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De Villiers’ absence will surely be a big loss for South Africa but  Philander said that the team has moved on.

“We’ve made adjustments in order to move on,” Philander said ahead of the first Test against England. “I think that’s a personal decision. It’s entirely up to him what he wants to play. We’re a settled unit now. The boys have moved on, the boys have obviously done well over the last 12 months. Our focus is not on one particular player. Our focus is on the team and getting the team to do well.”

In de Villiers’ absence, Faf du Plessis was given the captaincy duties before he was permanently given the responsibility. Since de Villiers’ elbow injury and subsequent sabbatical from Test, the Proteas have played four Test series and won them all, including away series in Australia and New Zealand.

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South Africa, meanwhile, will also be without du Plessis for the series-opener at Lord’s as the skipper is in South Africa with his newly-born daughter. In the regular skipper’s absence, Dean Elgar has been given the responsibility of leading the side and Philander said that the stand-in skipper will get the support from all the players.

“It’s an opportunity for someone else to step up and lead the country,” Philander said. “We’ve got all the faith in Dean. If you have the support of the other ten guys on the field, his job will be easier. It’s a big miss losing Faf but we understand his circumstances.”

Philander also lauded his bowling partner Kagiso Rabada who will be playing his first Test series in England. Expectations are sky-high from the right-arm pacer who has proved his worth with some sensational overseas performances

“He is just a phenomenal talent. Every time he gets the ball in hand he seems to want to run in and bowl faster and get wickets,” Philander said. “He has got a never-say-die attitude about him which is exciting to have. He is not shy of bowling the overs and giving it to the batters as well. Hopefully he will have a good Test series.”

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The first of the four Tests between England and South Africa will begin on Thursday (July 6) at Lord’s.

 

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