Proteas pacer Philander can be Ntini's successor: Ex Pak coach Pybus

Karachi, Feb 17(ANI): Former Pakistan cricket team coach Richard Pybus has reckoned that South African fast bowler Vernon Philander can succeed Makhaya Ntini as Proteas spearhead.

"Vernon was selected to play against Australia at Newlands on a spicy wicket, and promptly went about dismantling the fragile Australian batting line up. This theme continued through the short Australian series and into the Sri Lankan one, barring the performance at Kingsmead, where South Africa didn't turn up. The South African quicks, with Philander now at the forefront, ripped through Sri Lanka's inability to play on bouncy, seaming wickets," PakPassion.net quoted Pybus, as saying.

"Let us hope that Vernon's success is long lived and that he becomes a worthy successor to Makhaya Ntini, in carrying the hopes and aspirations of South Africa's previously disadvantaged cricket communities," he added.

Philander claimed 5 for 15 during his Test debut in November 2011 and was the prime force behind Australia's batting collapse in Newlands by dismissing them for 47 runs in the second innings).

He has already emerged as the spearhead of the South African pace attack and recently btained a national contract for his impressive Test career so far.

Philander's meteoric rise helped him make several records.

"Into the pages of cricket history went one of the fastest bowlers to reach 30 wickets - in all of four Test matches he had amassed 4 five wicket hauls, as well as ten wickets in a match! Philander's journey to the front page of cricket news has been circuitous. The opportunity to take the new ball for South Africa was earned over the best part of 8 seasons, from making his first class debut in 2003 for the Cape Cobras," Pybus said.

Pybus however, admitted that Philander's talent was not being property utilised taking into account that he was struggling with a 35+ average in ODIs.

"Without really looking at his strongest suit, and as those of us close to the coal face day in and day out know, Vernon is a highly skilled seam and swing bowler. A bowler whose game is better suited to the longer form, i.e. Test cricket," he added.(ANI)