Du Plessis hails ‘new Kallis’ Philander

NOTTINGHAM: South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said Vernon Philander was on the way to becoming the “new Jacques Kallis” after his man-of-the-match winning display in a crushing 340-run win over England in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

Philander was in fine form with both bat and ball as South Africa won with more than a day to spare.He made valuable scores of 54 and 42 at number seven before taking three wickets for 24 in 10 overs as England, chasing a huge 474 for victory, collapsed to 133 all out in what was their heaviest Test defeat, in terms of runs, at Trent Bridge.

Now retired South Africa great Kallis was an outstanding all-rounder, scoring 45 Test hundreds and averaging more than 55. The lively paceman also took 292 wickets at 32.65, and held 200 catches.

Philander, primarily a fast-medium bowler with a priceless ability to move the ball late, is some way off matching those figures — his highest score in 45 Tests is 74. But 169 wickets at an average of 22.21 are proof of his potency as a bowler.

“He’s becoming the new Jacques Kallis the way he’s batting,” said du Plessis of Philander after the Proteas levelled this four-match series at 1-1.“He’s a fantastic cricketer. When there’s something there (in the pitch), he’s probably the best in the world at doing something with it.”

South Africa altered the balance of their team after a 211-run defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, a match du Plessis missed following the birth of his first child, and the returning skipper was delighted by how Philander had embraced his enhanced role in Nottingham.

“We left a batsman out to play two all-rounders, with that comes extra responsibility,” said the captain.“With the promotion to number seven, I backed his technique and he responded by getting crucial runs in this game. He stepped up to the plate.”