England Lions start their first of two four-day matches against South Africa A in Baarl on Sunday with a familiar face in the hosts' ranks.
All-rounder Ryan McLaren features for the Proteas' second string after missing out on World Cup selection.
The 31-year-old took a hat-trick and was named man-of-the-match in Kent's 2007 Twenty20 Cup final win over Gloucestershire at Edgbaston.
The Lions' 15-man squad warmed up with an impressive display against a Gauteng Invitational XI and cameos for Kent'sSam BillingsandAdam Rileydespite both players not featuring in the first innings.
Billings scored 53 in an unbeaten 115-run partnership with captain Jonathan Trott and Riley took a wicket with the first ball of a two-over spell curtailed by rain.
However, Lions coach Mark Robinson stuck with the eleven that started the warm-up game which means no place for either Kent man.
The Lions skipper, returning to his home city, said: “I’ve always said there’s a lot of talent here in South Africa so it’s no surprise to see such a strong A team picked against us.
“But that makes it an exciting challenge for all our guys. Everyone in this squad has the opportunity to put a case forward for national honours. We certainly have the players to do that.
“Coming to Soweto, we’ve been really impressed with the facilities and the set-up here, so it’s been really good. I think we had a really good hit-out as a team, everyone got a go, we got what we needed and we’re looking forward to Cape Town."
The Lions will have a training session at Newlands today before tomorrow's match which starts at 8.30am GMT.
South Africa’s 16-man A squad includes 11 players with international experience, who have made a combined total of 158 appearances for the Proteas – 16 Tests, exactly 100 ODIs, and 42 international T20s.
England Lions side to face South Africa A:Adam Lyth (Yorkshire),Sam Robson (Middlesex),Alex Lees (Yorkshire),Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire, captain),James Vince (Hampshire),Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire, wicketkeeper),Adil Rashid (Yorkshire),Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire),Mark Wood (Durham),Jack Brooks (Yorkshire), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire).
South Africa A side to face England Lions:Gihahn Cloete (Chevrolet Knights),Stiaan van Zyl (Nashua Cape Cobras).Andrew Puttick (Nashua Cape Cobras),Theunis de Bruyn (The Unlimited Titans),Khayelihle Zondo (Sunfoil Dolphins),Rudi Second (Chevrolet Knights, wicketkeeper),Ryan McLaren (Sunfoil Dolphins),Chris Morris (bizhub Highveld Lions),Rory Kleinveldt (Nashua Cape Cobras, captain),Dane Piedt (Nashua Cape Cobras),Beuran Hendricks (Nashua Cape Cobras).
See Sam Billings and Adam Riley in action this summer with a Kent Cricket Membership.
Tickets to Kent v Australiaon June 25-28, the first game of the Ashes Tour, is included in Kent All Rounder and Championship Plus Memberships and an option for Six Pack package holders.
Members can also buy up to six guest tickets before the fixture goes on general sale in March 2015.
