Vernon Philander is becoming the "new Jacques Kallis", said South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis following his match winning performance in the Trent Bridge Test against England which they won by 340 runs. Philander was in fine form with both bat and ball as the Proteas won the second Test with more than a day to spare and level the four-match series 1-1. The right hander made significant contributions of 54 and 42 while batting at number seven and took three wickets in England's second inning.
Chasing a mammoth target of 474 runs to win, the hosts failed to counter South Africa's bowling attack and were eventually collapsed to 133 all out in their second innings on the fourth day, succumbing to the second biggest defeat, in terms of runs, in their history against the Proteas.
None of the England batsmen were able to contribute much in the side's second innings, with former skipper and opener Alastair Cook being the top scorer with 42 runs. Kallis, who has now retired from international cricket, is s arguably the game's greatest ever all-rounder. During his astounding career, Kallis scored 45 Test hundreds and averaged more than 55 with the bat and also took 292 wickets at 32.65 to go with 200 catches.
"He's (Philander) becoming the new Jacques Kallis the way he's batting," said du Plessis. "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," he added.
The South Africa skipper further said that following the 211-run loss in the opening Test at Lord's, they made changes to their team for the Nottingham game.
"We left a batsman out to play two all-rounders, with that comes extra responsibility," said the captain. "With the promotion to No.7, I backed his technique and he responded by getting crucial runs in this game. He stepped up to the plate."
Alongside Philander, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj also took three wickets.
Duanne Olivier bagged two wickets in two balls to dismiss Mark Wood and James Anderson. Chris Morris also took two wickets by giving away just seven runs. The two sides will now take on each other in the third Test, beginning July 27 at the Oval.
(With ANI Inputs).
