Vernon ‘The Surgeon’ Philander described his last Test series for the Proteas as an emotional roller-coaster despite going down 3-1 in the series and 191 runs in the fourth and final Test match at the Imperial Wanderers on Monday.
The 34-year-old who made his Test debut in 2011 against Australia in Newlands Cape Town hung up his spikes up 64 Tests later with 224 wickets to his name. Philander says he will miss his teammates.
The Cape Town-born and Belville-bred Philander says he has no regrets about how his career at Test level has gone over the past nine years. The pace bowler-cum all-rounder also managed eight half-centuries with the bat. Philander has more.
Much like the current coaching staff, Philander says with his playing days now over he would like to get involved in cricket development and coaching.
With the Proteas in the midst of a transition period, Philander’s retirement is another blow to the young Proteas side that needs some experienced heads.
Philander once again commended Cricket South Africa’s move to get former players like Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis involved.
Philander also urged South Africa cricket lovers and supporters to be patient with the team in the next couple of years before exiting his last press conference to thunderous applause. – Report by Thando Gqamane
