Philander to receive long-awaited ODI call-up?

Cape Town - Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt hinted that the side could call-up Test seamer Vernon Philander for the ICC Champions Trophy, which begins in June.

Langeveldt spoke to the media leading up to the final ODI of the Sri Lankan tour and spoke about the Proteas bowling issues, as they continue to look for a bowler to share the new ball with Kagiso Rabada.

The Proteas have been using various options including Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius and Chris Morris in the Sri Lankan ODI series to fill the void left by Kyle Abbott, who abruptly left on a Kolpak deal.

Langeveldt suggested that all-rounder Philander could make the 'perfect' selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy in England.

In his 30 ODI appearances, Philander has taken 41 wickets at an average of 24.04.

However, Philander hasn't played an ODI game since August 2015.

He was, however, featured in the Proteas ICC 2015 Cricket World Cup squad, but could only manage four wickets in his three games, as the Proteas lost their semi-final against New Zealand.

"In English conditions if it's overcast he (Philander) will make the perfect guy to play," Langeveldt told reporters at Centurion on Thursday.

"He is struggling with an injury so that's a concern for us, he's workload is a lot because he has played a lot of Test cricket.

"He does fit our mould if you looking for a guy with the new ball that will bowl you five overs up front.

"So we looking for all possibilities, it's not tried and tested, he has played in previous World Cups, so it's just up to the captain and selectors what they want at the end of the day."

The ICC Champions Trophy will run from June 1-18 with the Proteas seeded third in Group B alongside India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Groups (based on teams’ rankings as on September 30, 2015; x denotes seeding):

Group A                     
x-1 Australia               
x-4 New Zealand        
x-6 England               
x-7 Bangladesh          

Group B
x-2 India
x-3 South Africa
x-5 Sri Lanka
x-8 Pakistan

Event schedule:

Saturday, June 3 - Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval

Wednesday, June 7 - Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston

Sunday, June 11 - India v South Africa, The Oval

Wednesday, June 14 - First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff

Thursday, June15 - Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston

Sunday, June 18 - Final, The Oval

Monday, June 19 - Reserve day