Irish cricket signs promising South African all-rounder for 2007

THE Irish Cricket Union have signed 21-year-old Vernon Philander as one of their two permitted overseas players for this year’s Friends Provident Trophy.

The South African all-rounder is highly regarded in his native country, having just missed out on selection for the World Cup — he had been named in the preliminary squad of 30.

He has played 26 first class games, scoring 1,046 runs at an average of 26.15, with a highest score of 168. He has also taken 71 wickets at an impressive average of 24.19. He played international cricket at Under 19 level for South Africa, and his domestic clubs include the Cape Cobras and Western Province.