Johannesburg - Vernon Philander may play for the South Africa 'A' side in a series against their Australia counterparts after not being able to secure a contract to play county cricket in England.
The seamer is still considered an important member of the Proteas pace attack and has been awarded a two year contract with the national side, even though he has been injury prone of late.
The 30-year-old has only played in three first-class games this year, since returning home from South Africa's tour in India last year November.
With the South African domestic done, and Philander not in the national side's limited-overs plans for the ODI series in the Caribbean in early June, the medium-pacer needs game time ahead of the Proteas' Test series against New Zealand at home in August.
According to Philander's agent, Arthur Turner, they tried to get a county deal but teams were put off by the right-arm bowler's latest injuries.
Proteas chief selector, Linda Zondi, confirmed that Philander could be included in the A side for the games against the Aussies, with the dates of the matches yet to be confirmed.
Zondi said: "Any player who doesn't play Indian Premier League, for a county or South Africa will be available for (South Africa A) selection and that includes Vernon."