The third day of the first Test between India and South Africa at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town was washed out due to persistent rain without a ball being bowled. Despite the loss of an entire day, the match is set for a result with two more days to go. However, it was a great start for India on Day 4 as the Indian pacers restricted the Proteas for just 130 runs and 207 to win the first Test.

When playing at Newlands, his home ground, Vernon Philander searches for a face in the pavilion as he ambles to the fine leg after a successful over. Once he spots the familiar figure of the elderly man in formals and a tie he waves. Then world cricket’s most feared bowler turns his focus back on the 22 yards as he plans his next scalp and the subsequent wave.

Vernon Philander has been a sensation for South Africa though he isn’t the fastest of the lot. His strength isn’t his pace, but he has done wonders for the Proteas. He is the one who can swing the ball at any times. His ability to swing the ball both ways and the line he bowls get most of his wickets.

Philander’s wonderful record of picking 50 wickets in the first seven matches is the second fastest ever in Test cricket. Coming to the action while he plays in Newlands, Vernon waves at his mentor, Johannas Adams every single time he takes a wicket. Adams is the one who spotted the spark in Philander, at a time when he was pre-teenager.

Adams not only mentored Philander but also took him to games and training in and around the Western Province. He got to his 100th scalp in South Africa by dismissing India‘s Cheteshwar Pujara in the first Test at Newlands, which is his 23rd at home and is the seventh South African to do that. He is also the third fastest to take a hundred scalps in South Africa.

The story started 20 years ago when Philander was playing cricket on the streets. He was noticed by Tigers Cricket Club’s vice president, as the kid was playing along with the vice president’s son. Impressed with Philander, the VP asked him to be at the club the next day, where Adams first saw the South African spearhead for the first time. He was a father figure for Philander, who was raised by a single mother and grandparents.

“You don’t get money for these kinds of things. This is the reward for putting in the hard work. Over the years, I was fortunate to sit here and see him bag wickets. He always looks up to me and that gives me a great feeling,” Adams said.

Talking about Philander’s incredible journey, the elderly man stated, “He had the same run-up, same bowling style and the same amount of patience he shows now. He is very consistent. He looks to bowl at one spot all the time and runs down the batsmen with patience.”

“He has a very positive mindset. During our long drives back from games, even if things hadn’t gone his way, he never sounded disappointed. Actually, he has never been down all his life. He would spend so much time with the boys here. He answers their questions and plays with them,” the mentor added.

Often people forget where they came from when they get success but Philander isn’t one of them. Philander knows who mentored him and respects him amply for having faith in him and making him reach the international pedestal. This amply sweet gesture by Philander is winning hearts everywhere.

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