Philander out of first Test against Bangladesh

South Africa seamer Vernon Philander has been ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh, starting on 28 September, while Chris Morris will miss the entire Test series due to injury.
Philander missed the final Test against England with a back injury and Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee confirmed that the allrounder will not be risked for the first Test against the Tigers.
The plan is for the 32-year-old to come through a domestic first-class fixture before being considered for the second Test, in Bloemfontein from 6 October, against the tourists.
Moosajee said: “We’ve had a number of challenges on the fast bowling front. The first to chat about is Vernon Philander.
“During the Test series in England, he dived for a ball and injured his lower back. His progress has been coming along well but he is only bowling at 80 per cent capacity currently.
“The plan for him is to prepare for the four day match against the Cobras beginning on 28 September. Should he come through that, he should be available for the second Test against Bangladesh.
“At the moment, he is only building up to full intensity so we are not going to risk him to play during the first Test.”
Morris, who also missed the final Test in England with a back complaint, will be out for around 10 weeks and will miss both Tests against the Tigers with Moosajee saying the first T20I against the same opponents on 26 October is a realistic date to come back.
Without Philander and Morris, the Proteas could go into the first Test against Bangladesh with a pace bowling attack of Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier.
Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks and others could play themselves into contention for a Test place in the first-round of domestic first-class fixtures that started on Tuesday.
The South Africa squad for the Bangladesh Test series will be announced towards the end of the domestic games.
Latest
-
News
England captain Joe Root celebrates a century against Sri Lanka
Root brought up his 18th Test ton after being stranded on 99 at lunch in Galle.
-
News
Joe Root 99 not out at lunch as England look to build big advantage
Root and Test debutant Dan Lawrence have steered the tourists to a lead of 71 with seven wickets intact.
-
News
Heather Knight excited by freedom on offer after New Zealand quarantine
England Women will be able to break out of the coronavirus ‘bubble’ lifestyle in a country which has effectively contained the disease.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England day one: Tourists carve out dominant performance in Galle
The tourists skittled Sri Lanka for 135 then replied with 127 for two.
-
News
Stuart Broad and England in ‘dream world’ after superb first day in Sri Lanka
Broad took three wickets and Dom Bess five before Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow took England within eight runs of their hosts’ total.
-
News
England dominate day one of Sri Lanka Test after brilliant Stuart Broad start
Broad’s early scalps set the tone for a day England ended just eight runs behind their opponents with eight first-innings wickets intact.
-
News
Boucher says its time for Proteas to get back to Pakistan
Mark Boucher will direct the Proteas on their first tour of Pakistan since 2007 which gets underway later this month.
-
News
Stuart Broad and Dom Bess run through lacklustre Sri Lanka on day one
The hosts made just 135 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
-
News
England make early inroads as Stuart Broad strikes
Sri Lanka slipped to 65 for three on the first morning after opting to bat in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: I felt anxious and out of place at start of international career
Buttler admits to feeling daunted at being in close proximity to established stars.