Last of ‘the pack’, Vernon Philander announces international retirement

“Proteas all-rounder Vernon Philander has called time on an exemplary international career with the announcement of his retirement from all forms of international cricket at the end of the Test series against England in January 2020,” read a tweet from the official handle of Cricket South Africa.

Proteas all-rounder Vernon Philander (@VDP_24 ), has called time on an exemplary international career with the announcement of his retirement from all forms of international cricket at the end of the Test series against England in January 2020.#BigVernRetires#Thread pic.twitter.com/GqRDtXHqsx

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 23, 2019

Philander himself said: “I want to give thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the opportunity to represent my country for the last 12 years. It has been an honour and privilege to have played alongside the very best in the game.”

“I would like to say a special thanks to my wife, family, and friends for your loyalty and support on this journey which has obviously had its ups and downs. And to my number one fan since day one – Mom, thank you so much,” he said.

Philander did not have the pace of Morkel and Steyn but troubled the batsmen by swinging the ball both ways. He also took a record-breaking 51 wickets in his first seven Test matches which earned him the 2012 SA Cricketer of the Year accolade.

“One of the many things that have stood out for me with Vern is his character, his determination and the way that he has always been up for a fight and a challenge has shown the heart of the man,” said CSA Director of Cricket and his former captain Graeme Smith.

“He has really done himself and his family proud and I hope he can finish his final series for South Africa with the same character and flair that has become synonymous with him,” Smith added.

Philander was part of the squad that toured India in October. Following the retirement of Steyn and Morkel, he has had to take up the additional role of mentoring the younger crop.

For someone, who has been lethal in home conditions, Philander finds it a tad unfair that he is termed as a “green track bully.”

“If you look at my record away from home, it is not that bad. The role does differ from conditions to conditions,” he had told PTI during the tour of India.

“At the end of the day, you need control. You have got to have that control and I have been fortunate to have that. If you have the skill to nip and swing the ball around, it gives you a big advantage at the same time there is no substitute for genuine pace, the batters don’t like it.”

“So you need an all-round pace attack. I am pretty satisfied with what I have achieved,” he had said.