‘THE SURGEON’ SHARPENS HIS SCALPEL TO SPEARHEAD SOUTH AFRICA’S SPECTACULAR RECOVERY
ENGLAND may yet still steal this Test from a resurgent, hastily rebuilt South Africa but already home supporters have seen enough to be filled with hope for the future after an appalling 18 months of international results and off-field chaos. Vernon Philander led an attack that operated with precision and planning. Two meticulous medium pacers retained control and two genuinely fast bowlers attacked and unsettled, complemented by a spinner who will probably remain surplus to requirements. Which at least offers vindication to England’s selection strategy. Philander’s eye-watering figures of 14.2-8-16-4 will provide as much comfort to Somerset supporters as they did to South Africans yesterday, although questions have been asked here about whether the 34-year-old Philander has the physique and stamina to perform like that for three years on the county circuit, which is Somerset’s desire after his Test farewell. Philander said, however, that they would be ‘taking it year by year and see how it goes’. Philander will be cheered and celebrated by locals during every spell he bowls in this series. He has served his country with consistent distinction and delivered as many memorable, match-winning spells as even Dale Steyn or Allan Donald, albeit without anything like their pace. His team-mates call him ‘The Surgeon’ and refer to the new ball in his hands as ‘the scalpel’. Yesterday, Philander didn’t need to rely on the hard, new Kookaburra ball. There was more than enough moisture and imperfection in the pitch for him to slice open Jos Buttler’s defences in the 52nd over of the innings. ‘Big Vern’ took his career tally to 220 wickets but, just as
pleasing, was the performance of 26-year-old Anrich Nortje, who will most likely share the new ball with Kagiso Rabada, 24, in the years to come. Unless, of course, he also turns his back on his country and follows in the footsteps of Kyle Abbott and Duanne Olivier. In the new-look set-up, that seems highly unlikely. Nortje grew up in Uitenhage, an industrial city 40 miles from Port Elizabeth far better known for producing rugby players than Test cricketers. It is no coincidence that his mentor, Mornantau ‘Nantie’ Hayward, another Proteas fast bowler, grew up in the same city. Like Hayward, he believes aggression is a crucial part of a fast bowler’s armoury, although he is pragmatic about its use. ‘I only use it in red-ball cricket, there’s no time to get into a batsman’s space in T20 cricket,’ Nortje said recently. ‘But you can let him know how you feel about him in Test cricket.’ Jonny Bairstow, clean bowled sixth ball, knew all about Nortje when he was beaten for pace yesterday afternoon. Hayward played international cricket in 2002-03 in the knowledge that he had signed a Kolpak contract with Worcestershire — which caused deep resentment. Both Abbott and Olivier did likewise in recent years. It was the reason Philander announced his international retirement before the series against England began. Like other aspiring Proteas players, Nortje was firing bullets into an uncertain future without anyone to provide a plan or reassurance just two weeks ago. Nobody could possibly have foreseen the enormity of the change that took place. Not only have players such as Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius and Rassie van der Dussen been assured of their value by director of cricket Graeme Smith and head coach Mark Boucher but, in Jacques Kallis and Charl Langeveldt, they have one of the greatest batsmen and most skilled bowlers produced in South Africa to guide them. Just a couple of months ago South Africa were a helpless rabble against India. But yesterday, and on Boxing Day, the fighting spirit and determination so characteristic of the new coaching and management staff was there for all to see.