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December 26, 2011

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Philander injures left knee ahead of Durban test match

SOUTH Africa seamer Vernon Philander injured his left knee while bowling in the nets Saturday but the impressive newcomer is expected to be fit for the second test against Sri Lanka.

Philander, who has taken 24 wickets and four five-wicket hauls in his first three tests, picked up a mild strain of the medial ligament while practicing at Kingsmead and was treated immediately, South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee said. He added that team management was confident the 26-year-old Philander would be fine for the second test, which starts today.

"At this moment in time we are assessing it as a mild strain," Moosajee said. "Tomorrow, once some of the swelling and inflammation goes down, he'll be allowed to bowl and if he bowls without discomfort, he should be OK."

Philander has been an immediate success for South Africa in tests, winning the man of the series award in his debut series against Australia last month. He took five wickets in an innings in both tests against the Australians and then returned match figures of 10-102 in South Africa's innings win over Sri Lanka at Centurion a week ago, just his third match.

Uncapped fast bowler Marchant de Lange would be a likely replacement for Philander if he doesn't recover, with left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe not yet fully recovered from a side strain.

South Africa leads Sri Lanka 1-0 in the three-match contest and can wrap up its first home series win since 2008 with a victory. But Kingsmead has often been a sticking point for the home team. South Africa has fallen to surprise heavy defeats to India, England and Australia in its last three tests here to go three years without a series win at home.



 

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