Soon, cricket will know what Philander already does: he is a test allrounder

Sunday Times

TELFORD VICE, Kandy

Cricket tells its truths when it thinks no-one is watching. Monday afternoon at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, as both teams gripped the second test with knuckles white, was one of those times.

Vernon Philander flicked a delivery towards fine leg. One of the 10 Sri Lankans ranged like shark’s teeth around the bat in obsessive pursuit of SA’s last two wickets set off after the receding ball.

Two runs were there for the taking. Philander ran hard to the non-strik...