Vernon Philander’s message to Kent Cricket supporters: Get down and support the Kent Spitfires!

The South African all-rounder has signed for Kent's Friends Life t20 campaign, which kicks off this Friday.

Kent take on Middlesex Panthers under the floodlights of The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, and the world's no.2 Test bowler wants you there.

An eager Philander, who will make his debut against the Panthers, said: "I can't wait to get going – I'm raring to go.

"The ground looks like a beautiful venue and hopefully there should be one or two in there for the first t20 game.

"Get out there and support the Kent Spitfires!"

Philander trained at the ground today and relished getting out in the Kent sun. Rain back home in Cape Town has made outdoor practice hard to come by, but he's chomping at the bit to get going.

Philander said: "I'm excited about it. I've been saying to the guys how I couldn't get outdoors in Cape Town so I went out and had a little trundle today.

"There are a couple of slopes to get used to – I'm excited to be bowling again.

"I played against a few of the guys here last year but I haven't been in the same side as them.

"Hopefully we gel really well as a unit and have a successful tournament."

Philander has an outstanding record in Test matches, taking 89 wickets at 17.13 with an impressive strike rate of 26.8 – the best average and strike-rate since World War One. He has played 67 Twenty20 matches, taking 46 wickets at 31 apiece.

There's still time to secure your tickets for tomorrow's match. Don't miss the action! – click here for pre-purchase print at home tickets.

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See you there!