Vernon Philander Injury Is Latest Blow to Faltering South Africa

Vernon Philander will take no part in South Africa’s World Cup clash against the West Indies on Friday. Philander sustained a hamstring injury during South Africa’s match against India over the weekend and won’t recover.

It’s just another problem in a list of mounting issues that’s suddenly gripping a South African side that looked primed to challenge for the Cup just a few weeks ago.

The top order, who were all in stunning form prior to the start of the competition, have struggled in the first two matches. There has not been a century by either of the top four and only one measly half-century for Faf du Plessis across the two games. Their struggles have, understandably, prompted some strong emotions from fans.

With Philander out of action for their match against the West Indies on Friday, though, South Africa have even more concerns.

Since becoming a regular member of the ODI side back in 2013, Philander has taken 30 wickets at an average of 19.33 in 18 matches. His nagging consistency has seen him maintain an average economy rate of 4.50. His absence was notable against India, and without the added pressure from Philander, South Africa could not force India into chances.

Now, they are about to face a West Indies team who have had their sleeping giant woken up. Chris Gayle scored a hundred for the first time since 2013 on Tuesday, and then, just for good measure, he made it a double. 

In a like-for-like replacement, South Africa have just two options: Wayne Parnell or Kyle Abbott. Parnell endured a torrid time against India, conceding more than 80 runs. But Abbott’s returns in one-day cricket aren’t great. In the 11 matches he played, he averaged 56.00 with the ball and was carted for 59 runs (and no wickets) the last time he played at Sydney.

Parnell also played in that game and didn't exactly do much better, conceding 54, taking one wicket. Thus, South Africa are faced with a selection conundrum of epic proportion in the bowling department. They are probably regretting opting for two front-line spinners in the squad instead of taking an extra seamer.

Abbott had a good outing in the warm-up matches, taking three for 37 against Sri Lanka and two for 35 against New Zealand, but whether that will be enough to see him crack the nod ahead of Parnell remains to be seen. As a left-armer and bowler with genuine pace, Parnell adds variety, which Abbott can’t. However, he will have to overcome his struggles with confidence if South Africa are to have any hope of emerging victorious on Friday.

Hashim Amla has already called for calm and insisted the team gets on with it instead of focusing on the loss against India.

"Everybody in the team has played enough to know that you do win and lose games," he said. "There can only be one winner and one loser. So, let's not get too dramatic about it. We didn't play good cricket, but we take the knock on the chin.

"We know we have a few more games in the round-robin phase, and guys have been playing well. So we don't want to dwell too much on it. But going into the next game we certainly know we've got to perform better."

All quotes and information obtained firsthand.