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Durban - South African bowling sensation Vernon Philander injured his knee at net practice on Saturday morning, but should still be fit to play in the second Test against Sri Lanka which starts on Monday.
“Vernon suffered a mild strain to the medial collateral ligament of his left knee while he was bowling today,” confirmed team manager Mohammed Moosajee.
“Right now, we’re still confident he will be fine for the Test.” Philander received treatment in the nets from the physiotherapist and had his knee strapped.
The injury was classified as a mild strain and Philander will be treated overnight with ice, compression and more physiotherapy, and he will have his knee strapped.
“Tomorrow [Sunday], once some of the swelling and inflammation settles, he will be allowed to bowl again and we’ll see if he can bowl without discomfort,” said Moosajee, who is also the team doctor.
“The challenge would have been if it was more severe but, at this moment in time, we’re still assessing it as mild.”
Moosajee said Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who had been brought back into the squad, was not yet fully fit.
“He is somewhere between 85-90 percent fit after suffering a side strain,” Moosajee said.
“Lopsy is much better but we’re building him up slowly,” he said.
Should Philander be unfit to bowl on Monday, uncapped Marchant de Lange would most likely make his debut.
