Philander: 'There are no dead rubber games'

South African seam bowler Vernon Philander, who destroyed India in the first Test at Newlands, said here on Monday, “There are no dead rubber games and we are well prepared and keen to win the third Test.”

Vernon Philander, whose contributions with the bat have been valuable on occasions, said, “I consider myself an all-rounder.”

South African seam bowler Vernon Philander, who destroyed India in the first Test at Newlands, said here on Monday, “There are no dead rubber games and we are well prepared and keen to win the third Test.”

Talking about the green surface at the Wanderers, Philander said, “It looks like the normal Wanderers pitch with pace and bounce.”

Asked about South Africa’s four-pronged pace attack, he said, “Finding your role in the four-man pace attack is important. Then, you play your role.”

On new fast bowling sensation, Lungi Ngidi, Philander said, “He’s a phenomenal talent. The thing was to keep him calm on debut and myself and Morne (Morkel) at mid-on and mid-off kept talking to him.”

Philander, whose contributions with the bat have been valuable on occasions, said, “I consider myself an all-rounder.”

Queried whether India would have done better had it arrived in South Africa earlier, he said, “It, perhaps, might have done better. But we focus on what we need to do.”