FIRM BELIEF Vernon Philander (pictured) backs South Africa's potent pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi, to exploit Australia's vulnerable top order in the upcoming World Test Championship final at Lord's. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Former Proteas seamer Vernon Philander believes South Africa’s current bowling attack will be able to get the better of the Australian top order in the World Test Championship (WTC) final starting at Lord’s, in London, on Wednesday next week.
With the pace attack set to be led by Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, the Proteas will indeed have a dangerous arsenal of quicks at their disposal.
Rabada, in particular, will be under scrutiny as he recently served a one-month ban for testing positive for a banned recreational substance (cocaine).
Philander, who played 64 Tests and 30 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), had every confidence in the current attack against the old foe.
Proteas Poised to Exploit Australia’s Vulnerability Against Moving Ball at Lord’s
"Tactically, the ball nips around at Lord's and Australia's top order could be vulnerable, especially since our bowlers have the ability to get the ball a touch fuller,” Philander told SportsBoom.co.za.
“The likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood bowl more back-of-a-length, with the ball going over the top of the stumps; we want to bring the stumps into play more.
"The Australian batsmen are generally aggressive and come hard at you. Which shows you the importance of the new ball; having control with that is important, and you don't want to leak early boundaries. You don't want to allow them to get into their strides.”
With the seam movement likely on offer in London, Philander said the Proteas were simply better suited to the conditions.
"Australia have a bit of a defect against the moving ball. Technically and mentally, South Africa's batsmen perhaps have the upper hand with the general overhead conditions in England and the Duke ball being completely different to the Kookaburra."
"So, the Proteas bowlers will certainly want to exploit that. Marnus Labuschagne has been short of runs, as has Steve Smith to an extent in the previous couple of seasons. So, there's a window of opportunity there, their shortfalls will be in the back of the mind."