Philander went on to score 52 after being hit on the hand

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

South Africa will be relieved after pace bowler Vernon Philander was found not to have fractured his right hand.

Philander was struck on the hand by England seamer James Anderson while batting on the third day of the first Test at Lord’s.

Despite this, he soldiered on and ended up scoring a fantastic 52 before South Africa were bowled out for 361. He was then taken to hospital for an x-ray.

With the x-ray only showing bruising, the Proteas are hoping that Philander will be fit to bowl on the fourth day of the match.

South Africa will be pleased about the diagnosis as losing Philander would have been disastrous since they are already without seamer Kagiso Rabada for the second Test in Nottingham as he was banned for the match.