South Africa’s ace pacer Vernon Philander named another record to his name as he became only the seventh South African bowler to pick 100 Test wickets at home, during the second day of the first Test against India at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
India’s dependable batsman Cheteshwar Pujara became Philander’s 100th Test scalp at home. After resisting the South African pace attack in the first session of the second day, Pujara fell when he poked at a Philander delivery outside the off-stump and was caught out in the slips, on the first ball of the second session.
Philander joined some of the elite list comprising Mkhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and Jacques Kallis in this illustrious list. Philander’s current teammates Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are also featured in this list.
Mkhaya Ntini: Matches:53, Wickets: 249
Dale Steyn: Matches:47, Wickets: 242
Shaun Pollock: Matches: 59, Wickets: 235
Allan Donald: Matches: 38, Wickets: 177
Jacques Kallis: Matches: 88, Wickets: 165
Morne Morkel: Matches:36, Wickets: 128
Vernon Philander: Matches: 23, Wickets: 100*
Besides, Philander is also the third quickest South African bowler to scalp 100 wickets in South Africa. The star pacer is only behind Steyn and Donald on this particular list.
Tests to 100 wickets in South Africa:
Dale Steyn: 20
Allan Donald: 22
Makhaya Ntini/ Vernon Philander*: 23
Shaun Pollock: 26
Morne Morkel: 29
Jacques Kallis: 49