By CricketCountry Staff
South Africa captain Graeme Smith says that Vernon Philander has made a dream start in his Test career, but also warned that the right-arm pacer will have to be wary of ups and downs which are inevitable.
Published: Dec 18, 2011, 04:55 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 18, 2011, 04:55 PM (IST)
Vernon Philander has taken 24 wickets in first three Tests of his career © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Pretoria: Dec 18, 2011
South Africa captain Graeme Smith says that Vernon Philander has made a dream start in his Test career, but also warned that the right-arm pacer will have to be wary of ups and downs which are inevitable.
Smith praised the Cape Town pacer and said Philander’s understanding of his skills, makes his job easier.
“Vernon understands his own skills which makes my job easier. The wickets had some good juice in them so it was about Vern not changing too much and to keep working on those skills. So for me it’s just about him keeping it simple and the motivation is there,” Smith said.
“I think he’s played enough cricket and had enough ups and downs in his career to know it’s not always going to be easy,” Smith was quoted by Sports24.
Smith added, “There will be different surfaces around the world that will challenge him. I would love him to keep on bowling as he is, but I think he knows there are tougher times around the corner.”
Philander has taken 24 wickets in the first three Test matches of his career. He was named Man of the Match for his 10-wicket haul in the opening Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Centurion, which the hosts won by an innings and 81 runs.
He registered 5-53 in the first innings and 5-49 in the second, becoming the first South African cricketer to take four five-wicket hauls in his first three Test matches, and only the fourth bowler in history.
“I’m not records-driven. I’m more process-driven and if I can take the team over the line then I’m more than happy with that. You have to acknowledge that you’re not always going to bowl well,” said Philander.
“When things don’t go so well, you have to take it on the chin and go back to the drawing board and start again,” he added.
