Vernon Philander News: What is South African pacer’s Test bowling record in India?

Vernon Philander News: The senior South African fast bowler hasn’t done as well as he was expected to do in this series.

South Africa pacer Vernon Philander had landed in India as the leader of the attack for the three-match Test series. Given his experience in the format, Philander would have thought of troubling the Indian batsmen.

Contrary to the expectations, Philander has had a mediocre series so far. In two Tests, Philander dismissed as many batsmen at an average of 77.50, an economy rate of 2.58 and a strike rate of 180. The 34-year old cricketer failed to make an impact with both the new and the old ball.

It was Philander’s performance in the two Tests which made former South Africa captain Graeme Smith say that the visitors should look to play a young fast bowler in place of Philander in the third Test at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

With the series done and dusted in terms of the result, Smith’s views had come regarding both Philander’s performance and South Africa’s need to find rookie fast bowlers.

Vernon Philander News – Philander’s Test record in India

As far as Philander’s record against India is concerned, he has taken 30 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 22.73, an economy rate 2.47 and a strike rate of 55. In the three Tests that Philander in India, he has only dismissed five batsmen at an average of 43.2, an economy rate of 2.48 and a strike rate of 104.4.

For a bowler who majorly relies on swing rather than pace, conditions in India don’t assist Philander in the same manner they do in South Africa. Given his numbers in this series and his overall record in India, it will be interesting to see if South Africa retain Philander for the third Test or not.