Share

We want to win every Test we play - Philander

Cape Town - The Proteas are aiming for nothing less than a series whitewash ahead of the third Test match against India starting at the Wanderers on Wednesday.

READ: Quinny’s glovework: There is NO ONE better

Proteas bowler, Vernon Philander, insists that the match is not a ‘dead-rubber’, but rather an opportunity to strengthen their dominance over the visitors with one eye on the ICC Test rankings.  

A 3-0 series win will take the Proteas level with India at the top of the ICC Test rankings - India will remain first by a decimal point- with the four-match series against Australia in March providing an opportunity for the team to topple India by the April 3rd cut-off date.  

WATCH: Is this the greatest catch ever taken?

The Proteas carry vital momentum following the series-clinching 135-run win at Centurion last week, and kick-started preparations at the Bullring on Monday following a well-earned four-day break.

‘’We want to win each and every Test match that we play,” Philander said in Johannesburg on Monday. “There is no dead-rubber game for us, we will prepare as well as we can over the next two days to make sure we are ready come Wednesday. There are no dead-rubbers when we play any team in the world.

“It is always hard work when you play back-to-back Test matches,” he said of the break. “A four-day break suits everyone well, to go back and refresh and to get yourself up and going for the last match. All the players took some time away from the game, spent some time with the families to make sure we are ready for this one.”

The composition of the Proteas’ attack has been one of the standout features throughout the series, with the move from a three to a four-pronged attack bringing extra venom with the ball. Philander says he has learnt to adapt to his changing role within the attack, with every surface bringing out a different dimension of his skill.

“Your role will always change on different surfaces,” he said. “I have played this game long enough to understand my role within the side. In the last game I had to make sure I kept it tight on the one end and allowed the others to strike. I haven’t had a look at the conditions here (Wanderers) but I will adapt as the conditions present themselves.  

“It is about understanding the role that you play within the attack,” he said of bowling in a four-seam attack. “We are four seamers so we want to keep it as tight as possible and bowl them out as cheaply as possible. It’s about finding your role in the four-pronged attack and making sure you deliver what is required of you.

“You have to put the ego aside, we all want to be the hero at the end of the day,” he said. “We all want to put up our hand to be Man of the Match but not every surface is going to allow that. It is about being mature enough to understand that your end might not be the one to strike from and to play your role accordingly to make sure the other bowlers get the best conditions to strike,” said Philander. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE