SA vs IND: Wanderers Test win would have given South Africa massive boost on all fronts- Vernon Philander
Former South Africa bowler Vernon Philander was impressed with Proteas' seven-wicket win in the Johannesburg Test and said there was plenty to be excited about as a Proteas fan following the emphatic victory over India.
Former South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander lauded the Dean Elgar-led side for showing character in the Wanderers' victory over India. Vernon said he was impressed by the way the South African team went about their business and registered a historic win.
Dean Elgar scored an unbeaten 96, weathering the storm of hostile Indian bowling, guiding his team to a seven-wicket victory at the Wanderers and decimating the series. The hosts had lost the opening Test at Centurion's SuperSport Park by 113 runs but leveled the series with a historic win over the KL Rahul-led side in Johannesburg.
"We've always been known for slow starts, but the way the boys came back after losing the toss was fantastic," Philander told Cricket South Africa.
He said, 'There was a lot of expectation from the bowlers to get India out and they did it. I thought he bowled well in partnership.
“He probably started a little slow in the second innings and might have been disappointed with the areas he hit. They could have tried much harder and in the process provided India with more opportunities than they expected.
"There was something in the wicket as we saw it and they would have been more patient, they probably could have got India out cheaper, but giving ourselves something around 200, we would have always taken it in the last innings."
"It was probably the best batting performance I've seen from the Proteas in a while," Philander said. "The guys were really clinical, and I think the way Dean led with the bat was phenomenal.
“Also the mindset made a huge difference. I think the boys were a little shaky in the first innings, maybe on the defensive side of things.
“But if you look at the second innings we saw some clear intentions, people were looking to score fast and you could see that the difference came in the body language, and what kind of surprise it gave India bowlers , who would not have expected to come out of South Africa to attack as they did.
“It makes a lot of difference when you come out and allow the bowler to bowl at you than to show positive intent as he did. The way he batted was perfect."
'Very happy for Keegan Peterson'
Philander, who took 224 wickets for South Africa in 64 Tests and scored nearly 2000 runs, was happy to see Keegan Pietersen score his first 50 at the international level. It was a crucial innings and one that helped Elgar lead the team to victory.
“I was also very happy for Keegan Pietersen. We have all been admiring him for his technique and the way he has looked in his career so far. To his credit, he has only taken tough wickets since his debut. But it's a crucial innings for him.
“I was there once and when you contribute you feel part of that set-up. So now with 60 innings behind him, he will feel a lot more comfortable and confident. It will be a massive boost."
Elgar and Kagiso Rabada, who took six wickets in the match, also had a special mention. "We have to give the signal to Dean and the way he has fought in every way," Philander said. “He made sure he remained in a built partnership with the other batsmen around him.
"Then with the ball, we can't mention KG and that one spell where he turned the game upside down after lunch. In a series like this against a strong India team, you would need bowlers who Break the game completely.
"I don't think there's much going on between the two teams going to Cape Town," Philander said. “The last Test would have given South Africa a massive boost on all fronts.
“Often that is all you need, a win as a team gives you that confidence and momentum. They will feel that now they have that and they can win the series. “Coming to Newlands, one of our favorite hunting grounds, I am really looking forward to the final Test. This is going to be a cracker.
