“He will be out for a period of at least six to eight weeks”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa pace bowler Vernon Philander has been ruled out for the rest of the Proteas’ tour of India after tearing ligaments in his left ankle.

Philander suffered the injury after stepping on batsman Dean Elgar’s foot while playing a warm-up football match in Bangalore.

Philander, who will be replaced by Kyle Abbott for the second Test against India, is now in a race against time to be fit for South Africa’s upcoming home series against England, which starts on December 26 in Durban.

“Vernon will return to Cape Town this weekend to be assessed by one of Cricket South Africa’s specialists,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said. “It is still too early to tell but he will be out for a period of at least six to eight weeks. The first Test against England is six weeks away so it will be a tight schedule to get him ready and rehabilitated.”