Vernon Philander led a relentle♔ss South African bowling performance against Engl൩and on Day 2 of the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Philander took four for 16 in 14.2 overs as the Proteas appeared to have taken control by bowling out Joe Root & Co. for 181 – a first-innings lead of 103.
South Africa were 72 for four in their innings at the close of play. They now lead bꦜy 175 runs on a pitch, which has proved diff🦩icult for batsmen throughout.
Philander, who has announced he wi﷽ll retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing four-match Test series, produced a masterclass of control to complement the strike power of fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada (3/68) and Anrich Nortje (2/47).
For England, Joe Denly hit a half-century after a shaky start. He added partnerships of 55 for the third wicket with captain Root (29) and 72 for the fourth wicket 🍰with Ben Stokes (35).
England collapsed, however, a♓fter Denly was caught behind off an inside edge to give debutant Dwaine Pretorius his maiden T🔯est wicket.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Vernon Philander : 14.2-8-16-4
Exceptional control, skill and patience from the veteran quick. Too good for Englandꦯ
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst)
14.2-8-16-4
Test cricket will miss Vernon Philander 😢
— ICC (@ICC)
Look at this! The boy who learned 2 play cricket at the anti-apartheid Tygerberg cricket club on the Cape Flats was not only SA’s top 🐈bowler but a devastating bowler in today’s first innings: SA v 𓆏England. Vernon Philander took 4 wickets for 16 runs and helped SA bowl out England
— cheryl roberts (@cherylroberts00)
Vernon Philander in South Africa is as difficult as Anil Kumble in India. The combination of bowler and pl꧂ace is one of the uniquely wonderful things about Test cricket.
— cricketingview (@cricketingview)
Philander in the wickets as he nears the end. Will be m♔issed.
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg)
Sat in a team meeting with the Vern day , and if you know the game you know the amount of dismissals there are in the game. But Vern said tꦰhere are 3 dismissals in a game , bowled , LBW and caught behind . That told me the skill of the man! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Dane Piedt (@dane_piedt63)
South Africa's record at home when Vernon Philander plays.
Played 32
Won 23
Drawn 3
Lost 6
Win percentage: 71.87%— Sam 🏏⚽️🏈 (@sammy5456)
is a genius. Will be sorely missed!
— Jacques Rudolph (@Jacques_Rudolph)
England lost 7-♏39 in a remarkable collapse that saw t꧟hem bowled out for 181. SA have a very useful lead of 103.
Brilliant bowling display𒊎 from SA,ꦦ especially Vernon Philander (4-16) 👏
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
Perfect wicket for to show off his skill. Well bowled Vern. 3 rd innings will be interesting n𒀰ow
— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel)
