
|

Vernon Philander: can he be the next great allrounder for South Africa?
© Getty Images
|
|
Any promising English allrounder knows about the danger of being
tagged the new Ian Botham - or, in modern terms, the new Andrew
Flintoff. Now Vernon Philander has been handed an equally large
billing after his debut haul of 4 for 12, against Ireland at Stormont. He's being seen in South African circles as the new Shaun Pollock.
As Jacques Kallis admitted "they are big boots to fill", but Philander
started with a performance that Pollock would have been proud of, even
if the standard of opposition - with no disrespect to Ireland - has to
be taken into account. He hit a nagging line and length from the
outset, at sharp pace, and struck with his ninth ball in international
cricket, claiming two scalps in his first spell before returning to
mop up the tail.
What was particularly impressive throughout Philander's spells was his
accuracy - which is supported by an economy rate of 2.55 in
first-class cricket and 4.79 in one-dayers - and he provided a perfect
foil for the more attacking Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn. His final
figures were the second-best by a South African on ODI debut, behind
Allan Donald's 5 for 29 against India in 1991-92, and the seventh-best
for any country. Kallis said the short tour was an ideal chance for
youngsters to take their chance and Philander certainly did. It wasn't
the worst birthday present he could have had.
At 22, Philander is one of a crop of players South Africa have their
eye on for the next four-year cycle leading towards the 2011 World
Cup. Pollock won't be around by then and a replacement needs time to
find his feet in one of the side's most challenging roles. As Pollock
did when he started in 1995, Philander can bat at No. 8 in either form
of the game and is a similarly fierce striker of a cricket ball.
Philander could
well look back on his week in the laid-back surroundings of Belfast as
the time his career really took off
 |
The Ireland players will have had a feeling of 'if only' as Philander
collected his haul. He'd been due to play for them in the Friends
Provident Trophy this season before a stress fracture of his shins
ruled him out. Everything is certainly in working order now and any
chance of Ireland getting him back became slimmer with each wicket.
South Africa have another full international season ahead with series
against Pakistan, New Zealand and West Indies for starters following
the Twenty20 World Championships in September. As with all teams they
realise a larger pool of players is required to consistently compete
in such a packed calendar. So rather than creating a selection
headache, Philander's performance is what they want from the fringe
players. "We have always said we want to have a wide base to choose
from," said Kallis, "and to see him come in and perform like that was
admirable. He's got a bright future ahead of him."
Philander is certainly not short on confidence, listing one of his
nicknames as IVA, after a certain great West Indian cricketer, but
says he owes his development to Cabe Cobras team-mates Herschelle
Gibbs and Ashwell Prince as well as coach Shukri Conrad. "It is great
to have players like that around," he told The Cape Argus
before leaving for Ireland. "They share with you what they do in times
of great pressure in matches. I used to panic in high-stakes
situations, now I can stay calm."
That calmness makes him an ideal candidate for the Twenty20 format where his
multi-dimensional skills are well suited to the fast-paced game. His
domestic Pro20 record stands up fairly strongly and he has been a key
part of the Cape Cobras' one-day success.
Tougher challenges lie ahead for Philander - but a tight spell against
Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday showed he won't be fazed - and he could
well look back on his week in the laid-back surroundings of Belfast as
the time his career really took off. Pollock's boots will take some
filling, but Philander seems keen to try them on for size.