Vernon Darryl Philander (born 24 June 1985) is a South African former international cricketer. He was a right-handed bowling all-rounder; he had previously represented his country at under 19 level. He played for the South Africa national cricket team and Cape Cobras in South African domestic cricket. In December 2019, ahead of a Test series against England, Philander announced that the series would be his last series before retiring from international cricket. Domestic career Philander was chosen for the emerging players tournament in Australia, and took 3 for 30, as well as hitting 59 off 50 balls in the final against New Zealand A. South Africa would go on to win the tournament. Philander has played English county cricket, firstly for Middlesex in April & May 2008, Somerset in April & May 2012, and Kent in July 2013. In October 2018, Philander was named in Durban Heat's squad for the first edition of the Mzansi Super League T20 tournament. In September 2019, he was named in the squad for the Cape Town Blitz team for the 2019 Mzansi Super League tournament. In April 2021, he was named in Western Province's squad, ahead of the 2021–22 cricket season in South Africa. International career International debut Philander made his ODI debut on his 22nd birthday, against Ireland at Belfast. He took 4 for 12, which went on to be a match-winning performance. Philander enjoyed a tremendous start to his international career. On 9 November 2011, Philander made his Test debut against Australia, and was awarded Man of the Match after taking 5–15 in Australia's second innings, in which Australia was dismissed for 47, that country's lowest completed test innings total since 1902. He was also Man of the Series, with 14 wickets at 13.92 and two five-wicket hauls across the two tests. The following month, Philander took five wickets in each innings in the first test of South Africa's home series against Sri Lanka. He became the fifth player in history to take five wickets in an innings in each of his first three tests. These performances led to him being awarded a national contract by Cricket South Africa in January 2012. Through ranks In the series in New Zealand which began in March 2012, Philander picked up five wickets in the first test at Dunedin, which ended a draw. He followed this up with a match-winning performance in the second test