The conditions on day two of the first Test at St George’s Park were well suited to a man of Philander’s particular skills. The ball moved off the deck and often failed to clear the stumps. As a result, many of the batsmen were at a greater risk of being dismissed lbw.
Kusal Perara was out caught behind after driving at a Philander delivery in the seventh over. The medium-pacer’s next two victims, Kaushal Silva and Dinesh Chandimal, were set up by the bowler and then trapped lbw.
The ball that ended Chandimal’s stay at the crease was a beauty. Chandimal was drawn forward as the ball moved through the air towards the slip cordon. Unfortunately for the batsman, the ball then cut back off the deck and struck the back pad.
Chandimal was given out immediately. The subsequent review confirmed that the ball would have struck the middle of middle stump. Philander had removed the last of the big threats in the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
