Nottnghamshire bound Vernon Philander made his return from injury as South Africa beat the UAE by 146 runs at the ICC Cricket World Cup today.
The 29-year-old took 2-34 from 8.3 overs as the UAE, coached by Paul Franks, were all out for 195 in reply to the Proteas 341-6.
It was Philander’s first appearance since injuring a hamstring in South Africa’s second match of the tournament against India, when he was restricted to four overs.
He is due at Trent Bridge in time for the start of the county season and - with South Africa already through to the Quarter Final – may yet arrive as a World Cup winner.
Captain AB de Villiers set them on the road to this latest victory by striking six fours and four sixes in an 82 ball 99 batting at number four.
An explosive unbeaten 64 from Farhaan Behardien took the UAE’s required total past seven-runs-an-over despite Mohammad Naveed recording respectable figures of 3-63.
Naveed was then the first of Philander’s two wickets for 17 as the UAE were all out in 47.5 overs.
Morne Morkel and de Villiers himself each took a pair of wickets as only Swapnil Patel’s half-century and 39 from Shaiman Anwar offered meaningful resistance for Franks’ men.
The UAE have one last chance to record a tournament victory when they face the West Indies starting at 10pm on Saturday UK time.
View the full match scorecard here
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