Seamer Dane Paterson has been added to South Africa’s squad for the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion later this month.

Paterson is effectively a replacement for all-rounder Vernon Philander, who sustained a finger injury while playing for the Durban Heat in the recent Mzansi Super League.

‘We have been looking at him for some time,’ Cricket South Africa selection convenor Linda Zondi told Sport24.

‘He is a bowler who has performed on the domestic scene consistently for a long time and he will be our back-up for the first Test.’

The 29-year-old right-armer is currently playing for the Cape Cobras in the 4-Day Franchise Series and represented the Paarl Rocks in the MSL. He has gathered three ODI and eight T20I appearances since January 2017’s debut, but hasn’t played the international longest format of the game yet.

The Proteas and Pakistan will meet for three Tests. The second will be played at Newlands in Cape Town and the third the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Paterson likely won’t feature in a host attack comprising fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Duanne Olivier – and spinner Keshav Maharaj. Alternatively, he might play ahead of Maharaj at a venue conducive to seam.

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