Pace man Vernon Philander is delighted to see the sun out at Hove.

But it is the fresh breeze and any form of cover to which the South African star will really warm as he settles into life with Sussex.

The new ball man arrived at the County Ground yesterday and is raring to go as the Championship season starts against Kent tomorrow.

He joins compatriots David Wiese and Stiaan van Zyl in the new look set-up.

Van Zyl has likened Hove to Cape Town minus Table Mountain but Philander, pictured, wants to strike while conditions are not so hot.

He said: “Getting here and seeing the sun shining is always a welcoming sight. I’m very excited. I skipped last year in county cricket.

“It’s good to be over here and get the Duke ball in hand and running in again.

“The Duke ball always excites me because they tend to do a little bit more than the Kookaburra does.

“Hopefully we can get into strong winning positions and we can chase that league.”

He added: “It’s all to do with the climate. Although the sun is out now, it’s still pretty fresh out there which suggests there will be a bit of moisture in the wickets.

“It will tend to do a bit more than later in the season when it gets a bit warmer and more humid. Hopefully we get this season off to a great start.”

Philander is hoping to build on his Test success with South Africa in our winter when he rejoins the national team in the second half of the coming season.

He will play six Championship matches for Sussex and could be good for 30 wickets in that time according to former county skipper Chris Adams.

Philander believes the fact he is with two compatriots can only help.

He added: “Stiaan was my first roomy when he started playing cricket.

“It’s good to see him accelerate the way he has been over the last little while.

“Dave plays for the Titans, which is up north, but we are all good mates.

“We all tend to gel well when we play for the senior side. There will be some camaraderie over here.

“It is always nice to some South African support and mates in the same team.”

Sussex’s new ball attack is looking potentially destructive at second division level. It is not lacking in experience but every bit of know how helps.

Philander said: “I can share my experience with some of the bowlers having played here for numerous counties and in numerous formats.”

Sussex go to Nottinghamshire a week tomorrow and then get stuck into the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Eight matches in that format are followed by a one-day visit from South Africa as they prepare to face England.

That one looks a chance to rest some senior county players before a batch of four Championship games.

But Philander will be at Hove on that Friday and would like to have a ball in his hand.

He said: “Hopefully I’ll be a part of it but, if not, I’ll be here anyway.

“South Africans are a great bunch of guys. You guys will enjoy them. Sussex members will benefit from having them here because they are a great bunch of guys.”

That should set up an intriguing Test series with Philander confident his nation can settle a score with England.

He said: “As a South Africa team we have come a long way since England beat us at home.

“To turn it around the way we did and beating Australia away from home is always something you treasure.

“We are probably the only side who have gone there and beaten them three times in a row.

“There are couple of big series, the series you always want to win.

“We have had a pretty year and hopefully I can continue with my form.”