Vernon Philander has revealed how a conversation with a former Kent overseas player convinced him to make the move to the county.

Philander was a target for several counties but said Kent was the obvious choice once he had spoken to fellow South African and one-time Kent player Justin Kemp.

Philander, who should go straight into the Spitfires side for the opening Friends Life t20 game against Middlesex at Canterbury on Friday, said: “Fortunately for me, Justin Kemp is playing at the Cape Cobras and we had a bit of a chat last week and he only had positives to say.

“He said it’s a great setting, a great bunch of people down here and people get along pretty well. That’s all we need as cricketers - to come to a city where everyone gets along and not really have that back-stabbing hatred against each other. Openness and friendliness is what I like to have.

“I had a few offers, but after speaking to Justin it was pretty obvious where I was going to go. It’s good to be here.”

Philander has taken a complete break from the game this summer but insists he will be fit and refreshed to take the field for Kent.

He said: “I was told to take a six-week break completely from the game, coming off the back-end of 18 months of almost continuous playing international cricket.

"I can’t wait to get going. I’ll be ready. Playing for South Africa I think my all-round abilities got a bit neglected. Hopefully I can add a lot over here and score a lot of runs.”

Philander is also eligible for basement-boys Kent’s LV= County Championship Division 2 games with Gloucestershire and Hampshire next month and added: “Hopefully we can turn the corner as far as results are concerned.

“I haven't really had a look at the table, but I’ll be doing my best, hopefully we can get a couple of wins for the guys and get the ball rolling. Cricket is all about momentum once you win one you tend to keep rolling with the momentum."