Vernon Philander ruled out, Mulder set for debut in 2nd Test against Sri Lanka

Vernon Philander has suffered a grade one hamstring tear which is set to keep him away from cricket for 10-12 days.

South Africa’s quest to level the series against Sri Lanka took a beating after it was confirmed that medium pacer Vernon Philander will not be able to take part in the second Test match starting at St George's Park on Thursday. Uncapped all-rounder Wiaan Mulder is set to be drafted in as Philander’s replacement.

South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson confirmed that Philander had a grade one hamstring tear which is set to keep him away from cricket for 10-12 days. He did not bowl in the second innings of the first Test which hurt South Africa dearly as Kusal Perera’s heroic knock took Sri Lanka to a one-wicket victory at Durban.

Speaking about their failure to get the final wicket at Durban, Gibson said there was nothing wrong in their tactics and rather it was a case of some brilliant batting from Kusal Perera, made 153 not out stitching an unbeaten 78-run stand for the 10^th wicket with No.11 Viswa Fernando.

"I didn't see that happening, to be honest," said Gibson of his team's defeat, "but credit has to go to them, particularly Perera.

"I thought our tactics were spot on. We threw everything at him and he withstood all of that. We tried to spin, we bowled over the wicket, we bowled around the wicket, we bounced him, we tried to york him.

"He rode his luck early on but then he settled down. That's the nature of the sport. When somebody has a day like that, when it happens to you it's tough to take but you have to give him credit for the way he played."

Gibson said there was no talk of revenge as South Africa tried to square the two-match series.

"There's no focus on revenge, our focus is on playing a little bit better," he said.