England vs South Africa 2017: Vernon Philander declared fit for 2nd Test at Trent Bridge

Johannesburg: South Africa have received a major boost with pacer Vernon Philander being declared fit for the second Test of the four-match series against England, beginning Friday at Trent Bridge. Doubts over the 32-year-old’s availability for the rest of the second Test surfaced after he sustained injuries to his bowling hand while batting in the first innings of his side’s 211-run loss to England at Lord’s last week. Philander was struck on the right hand by England’s James Anderson with the 12th ball he faced and before he had scored a run. After receiving medical attention‚ Philander batted through the discomfort to score a vital 52 runs, but went to hospital for an x-ray at the end of South Africa’s innings. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs South Africa 2017, 2nd Test at Trent Bridge

However, the scans have now revealed that there was no fracture, Sport24 reported. Meanwhile, Duanne Olivier, Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo are in line to replace Rabada, who was sanctioned by the International Cricket Council ( ICC) for giving Ben Stokes a send-off in the Lord’s Test. Philander is on track with his rehabilitation after suffering a groin injury during a County Championship match last week. The 31-year-old was forced to fly back home after sustaining an injury while playing for Sussex in the four-day match with Kent at Hove, which also prevented him from bowling partly in the first innings and not at all in the second.

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Philander is expected to remain out of action for two to three weeks. Giving an update on Philander’s rehabilitation, Sussex said that the all-rounder has been progressing well and that he is on course to return to his county to complete the remainder of his contract.