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Cape Town - Proteas national convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson says they won't take any chances with the injured Vernon Philander in the second Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth, starting on Friday.
Philander, who collected his fifth man-of-the-match award in only 13 matches after destroying the New Zealand batting in the first Test at Newlands, was a doubtful starter for the match after injuring his left hamstring less than two weeks earlier.
He felt stiffness in the same hamstring in the second innings and left the field before South Africa completed a win by an innings and 27 runs inside three days.
Video highlights: SA v NZ, first Test, Day 3
Hudson said it's important to make sure Philander is ready for an important home series against Pakistan next month.
"We'll obviously wait for medical advice, but my feeling is that we rather have to be cautious," Hudson told the Beeld website.
"Vernon was only just declared fit for the first Test and we want to avoid him getting injured again in the second Test.
"My feeling is that we have to give him a chance to be 100% ready for the Pakistan series."
Philander finished the Test at Newlands with match figures of seven for 83, which included five for seven in the first innings to help skittle the Kiwis out for 45.
Should he not recover in time for the Port Elizabeth Test, his Cape Cobras team-mate Rory Kleinveldt will play.
Pakistan visit these shores in February for three Test matches, five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.
Philander, who collected his fifth man-of-the-match award in only 13 matches after destroying the New Zealand batting in the first Test at Newlands, was a doubtful starter for the match after injuring his left hamstring less than two weeks earlier.
He felt stiffness in the same hamstring in the second innings and left the field before South Africa completed a win by an innings and 27 runs inside three days.
Video highlights: SA v NZ, first Test, Day 3
Hudson said it's important to make sure Philander is ready for an important home series against Pakistan next month.
"We'll obviously wait for medical advice, but my feeling is that we rather have to be cautious," Hudson told the Beeld website.
"Vernon was only just declared fit for the first Test and we want to avoid him getting injured again in the second Test.
"My feeling is that we have to give him a chance to be 100% ready for the Pakistan series."
Philander finished the Test at Newlands with match figures of seven for 83, which included five for seven in the first innings to help skittle the Kiwis out for 45.
Should he not recover in time for the Port Elizabeth Test, his Cape Cobras team-mate Rory Kleinveldt will play.
Pakistan visit these shores in February for three Test matches, five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.
