Proteas all-rounder Vernon Philander’s international career dwindled towards its end in wretched fashion on Sunday, as he hobbled off the field of play with an injury to his right leg just as news broke of an ICC fine for abusive language towards England’s Jos Buttler.
Playing in his final Test match before retirement, Philander was dismissed for four runs in the morning as South Africa collapsed on day three of the fourth and final Test, bowled out for 183.
England chose not to enforce the follow-on and returned after lunch to pile on more runs when Philander pulled up injured midway through his second over with the ball in hand.
As he departed the field for treatment, leaving his teammate Dane Paterson to bowl his final three balls, cricket’s governing body released a statement issuing the 34-year-old with a 15% match-fee fine and a demerit point for his aggressive celebration after dismissing Buttler on day two.
Buttler and Philander have jousted in an acrimonious relationship throughout the series, with the England wicketkeeper having received a sanction for swearing at Philander in the second Test at Cape Town.
The ICC said in a statement: “The incident occurred in the 85th over of England’s innings on Saturday when Philander used inappropriate language after dismissing Jos Buttler, which could have provoked an aggressive response from the batsman.
“Philander admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.”
England finished the first innings with a lead of more than 200 and declined the follow-on as they returned to the crease on Sunday afternoon to extend their lead.
Source – MSN/Independent
In Other News – Blitzboks own up to under-par performances in New Zealand (NZ)
The Springbok Sevens management and players took full responsibility for their 10th place finish at the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on Sunday, admitting that it was a very disappointing performance and way below their regular and proud standards.
The Blitzboks lost 36-14 to Kenya in their final Pool B match and then went down 12-5 to Fiji in the 9th place playoff at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Kenya’s victory over the Blitzboks came after 14 consecutive wins for the South Africans, and two tries in the last two minutes by Fiji meant the Hamilton tournament ended in misery for Neil Powell and his squad. Continue Reading
