Vernon Philander fit for South Africa’s opening Test against England

England and South Africa begin their four-match Test series with the first Test that begins at Lord's on Thursday and Vernon Philander has been declared fit to play for South Africa in the match.

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Vernon Philander will play the first Test against England.

South Africa will have a full-strength bowling attack when they take on England in the first Test of the four-match series at Lord’s on Thursday. The Proteas will have the services of pacer Vernon Philander after he was passed fit to play the Test.

ESPNCricinfo reported on Sunday that Philander has been declared fit to play the Test as he has fully recovered from his ankle injury. He had to miss South Africa’s warm-up match in Worcester last week as he was recovering from an ankle injury that he had sustained during his county stint against Sussex.

With Philander fit, South Africa will get a full attack with Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel also set to play the first game. This also means that all-rounders Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo will have to wait to get a chance in the playing XI.

South Africa have to also decide on Faf du Plessis. The regular skipper is likely to miss the first Test after the difficult birth of his first child. He is currently in South Africa and according to the ESPN Cricinfo report, the decision will be taken on Monday. Dean Elgar is expected to lead the side in the absence of Du Plessis.