Abbott replaces injured Philander for second Test

Vernon Philander rolled his left ankle while training with his South African teammates at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the second Test will be played.

Vernon Philander is surrounded by South African players after he injured his ankle during a training session at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Vernon Philander, the South Africa fast bowler, has been ruled out of the upcoming second Test in Bengaluru against India owing to an ankle injury sustained while training at the venue, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed. He will be replaced by Kyle Abbott, who will join the squad on Friday.

The Test in Mohali last week was Philander’s first in India. He took three wickets for 61 in 27 overs bowled in the game.

South Africa team manager Dr. Mohammed Moosajee explained the injury, as quoted by CSA. “Vernon rolled his left ankle during practice at the stadium in Bengaluru this morning. He was taken to the hospital for an MRI scan which confirmed an ankle ligament tear which will rule him out of the current series against India. He will return back to Cape Town this weekend to be assessed by one of Cricket South Africa’s specialists. At this moment it is still too early to tell but he will be out for a period of at least six to eight weeks.

“The first Test match against England is six weeks away so it will be a tight schedule to get him ready and rehabilitated to make that Test match. Once he has been assessed back home in Cape Town and a proper programme for physio and rehabilitation has been put into place we will have a clearer understanding.”

Abbott made an impactful start to his Test career with nine wickets in his debut Test, against Pakistan in Centurion, in February, 2013. He has played two more Tests, against Australia and West Indies respectively. He took three wickets in three limited-overs matches he played against India in October.