Steyn hobbles out after pace hits India
CAPE TOWN: Before Faf du Plessis announced his intention to settle scores with India, Vernon Philander was the first from the South Africa camp to question the visitors’ temperament despite their nine consecutive series wins. “We’re going to have to wait and see once they pass the first Test match,” Philander had said.
Onasunnysaturdaymorning, Philander and Dale Steyn -- who was later ruled out of the Test and likely the series due to a left heel injury -- took it upon themselves to give India a stiff test in Newlands. Philander isn’t express. Neither does he move the ball too much. Compared with the other South Africa pacers, he doesn’t even look that threatening. But the consistency with which he hits a nagging length makes Philander a bowler you don’t want to face even in the best of form.
Ask Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara. Given the precarious situation India were in at stumps on Day 1, the duo had to play out the morning session to give the visitors any chance of making the most of good batting conditions in the next two sessions. Philander and Steyn though stretched them. Steyn often varied his length, attacking Pujara’s ribcage and testing him with bouncers. However, Philander was accuracy redefined, continuously hitting a fuller length on a fourth stump line.
Only 17 runs were scored from 13 overs in the first hour. India were allowed to score their first runs after four maidens, off Steyn, but Philander reeled of figures of 5-5-0-0 before Pujara broke the dry run with a hurried single.
Scoring became a little easier in the second hour with Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel taking over, but Rabada accounted for Rohit.
But it was Philander again who struck a vital blow first ball after lunch.
Pujara, a picture of epic concentration in the first session, just couldn’t resist fishing at a delivery seaming away. In this India team, Pujara and Murali Vijay are possibly the best leavers. Philander, however, showed he can make even the best fall into his well-laid traps.