Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

All-rounder Vernon Philander says he hopes to make a return to Jamaica Tallawahs during next year's staging of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League.

The South African, who claimed nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.79 runs per over, finished as Tallawahs second best bowler to Sri Lankan off- spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who ended with 10.

For his effort, Philander finished 10th in the overall bowlers listing with Muralitharan ending in sixth.

"I love it here," said Philander. "I felt at home playing for Jamaica. It was quite easy for me to adapt, and settle in, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

"I might come back and told Chris (Gayle) earlier that if I am going to come back, I want to come back to Jamaica.

"Hopefully, I will be free next year, and will be able to come back," he added.

Philander, who has represented South Africa in 16 Tests, eight one-day internationals and seven Twenty20 Internationals, claimed none for 18 in the team's opening loss to Guyana in Guyana.

Gradual improvement

The 28-year-old, however, showed gradual improvement in subsequent matches taking three for 16 in the second match, and going to post figures of two for 23, two for 28 and two for 32 off his allotted four overs in subsequent games.

This helped Tallawahs to not only rebound from their losing start, but also build a momentum consisting three straight victories heading into the final stages, and a five win, two defeat record going into the semi-finals.

Philander, the Tallawahs' first overseas player selected during the pre-tournament draft, also said he hoped to take his good form into his country's next set of international matches.

"I have got a series against Pakistan coming up in Dubai in mid-October, so I will be having a few days off at home, and looking forward to enjoying it.

"It was a fairly good outing for me participating in the tournament, so the hope is to carry on in that series."

Tallawahs defeated Amazon Warriors by seven wickets in the final at Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago, to win the inaugural tournament.