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Vern eyes limited overs spot

Cape Town - Vernon Philander hopes that his sojourn into the Caribbean Premier League will stand him in good stead in his bid to make a return to the Proteas' limited-overs setup.

ESPN Cricinfo reports that Philander, who is set to play for Jamaica Tallawahs, has not featured for the Proteas in ODI's since January 2012 and in T20's since 2007.

Philander however has made a remarkable entry to Test cricket in 2011, cementing his place as one of the leading bowlers in the much-vaunted Proteas Test attack.

"I have obviously not played a lot of white-ball cricket for South Africa," Philander said.

"This tournament is a chance for me to step up in the shortest form of the game and I am pretty excited about it.

"I back myself in the shorter formats and want the opportunity at international level so if I can put my name on the board then that is what I want to do."

Philander is currently playing for Kent in the British T20 series and has taken nine wickets in seven games.

He recognises that the favourable seam conditions he is currently experiencing in the UK will not be available to him once he starts to bowl in the Caribbean, but relishes the opportunity at adjusting to the changing environment.

"The conditions will pose challenges and as I have not played in the West Indies before, that is something I will have to get used to," he said.

"It will be a case of getting used to the decks and bowling up front as quickly as possible."

Philander said he wasn't looking as far ahead as the World T20 in 2014 in Bangladesh.

"Obviously I would love to play in it but my first priority has to be to do well in the CPL.

"If I can do that, make my mark and make a name for myself, I will be in a much better position for selection, but the CPL is the first thing to get right."  
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