After missing eight month of action due to an ankle injury, South African pacer Vernon Philander is all set to make a comeback to International cricket.

The pacer suffered an injury in November that cut short his tour of India. The injury also forced him out of the series against England.Philander will return to international action in a four-day match for South Africa A against Zimbabwe in Harare.

“The body’s feeling real good,” Philander said on Friday (July 8).”I’ve obviously been out for quite a few months. I never quite knew the severity of the injury until a couple of months after and it’s been coming and going, but these last few weeks it’s really been holding up. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and playing cricket again.”

Philander, 31, has already played three first-class matches for Western Province and Cape Cobras at the end of last season, taking 10 wickets. After playing in Zimbabwe, Philander will travel to Australia for the ‘A’ series matches to be played in Queensland next month. With South Africa scheduled to play against New Zealand, Philander would be hoping to impress the selectors on the Australian tour.

With South Africa losing two previous Test series, Philander will be a valuable addition to their squad. Philander, who has taken 126 wickets in 32 Tests , also said that he would like to share his experience with youngsters like Sisanda Magala, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius and Hardus Viljoen.

“As much as it’s about me getting back, it’s also about me sharing my knowledge with these younger guys out here,” Philander said. “I’m certainly looking forward to the first trip to Zimbabwe and the Australian one straight afterwards. “As long as I can help the younger ones coming through, I think I’ll be playing my part in South African cricket.”