Cricket South Africa named uncapped Dane Paterson as a replacement for injured Vernon Philander for the Boxing Day Test - the first Test of the three-match series against Pakistan on December 26 in Centurion.

The 29-year-old, who has already represented the Proteas in three One Day Internationals and eight T20Is, but has never featured in the whites, has been called up for the series opener against Pakistan on Friday, confirmed by the CSA selection convener Linda Zondi.

Zondi said, “We have been looking at him for some time. 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.”

Philander was ruled out of the first Test due to a fractured finger, while the Proteas had already lost paceman Lungi Ngidi with a knee injury and will return to action next year in February.

In the absence of Philander and Ngidi, South Africa’s pace stocks look depleted for the home series against Pakistan, who will be in the rainbow nation in search of some success in the Test cricket after a poor home season and it can be great chance for them to open their account on winning note.

Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Duane Olivier will be leading the Proteas seam attack, though, there are little chances for Paterson to make a Test debut at home as he will be picked in the Playing XI only if they want to play four quicks on the seam bowling friendly Centurion pitch.

Paterson, who is currently playing in the four-Day Franchise Series for the Cape Cobras, has played 93 First-Class matches and picked up 321 wickets at an average of just 23.56.

(With Sport24 Inputs)