Philander ends his UK 'recce'

The bustling Cape Cobras fast-medium bowler, who averages an incredible 14.15 with the ball after seven Tests, returns to South Africa now after playing five four-day matches for the Taunton-based county.

Philander bagged 23 wickets in his intentional, short posting there at a tidy 21.34, including two five-wicket hauls.

In doing so, he helped lift Somerset to a respectable third out of nine teams in division one before his departure, and left as joint top wicket-taker there with medium-pacer Peter Trego, who has played one game more.

He made his final appearance in the drawn encounter with Surrey at The Oval, which ended on Saturday, claiming four for 88 and one for 42.

The London venue is where South Africa will play the first of three Tests against England from July 19, so that was a particularly useful “reconnaissance” exercise for Philander, who is expected to form a lethal three-pronged pace attack with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in the top-of-table series.

He signed off by issuing a tweet saying: “Thanks to #somersetcc for a great time. Great lads to work with and awesome crowd to play for. Trust and hope we’ll see soon.”

*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing