Anderson set for England comeback ahead of South Africa series

The Lancashire seamer has not featured for his country since suffering a calf injury in the first Ashes Test against Australia at the start of August, missing the recent tour of New Zealand as he continued his rehabilitation.

However, the 37-year-old - England's leading wicket-taker in the longest format - was included in the squad for the four-Test series against South Africa, which begins in Centurion on Boxing Day.

Before then, however, the tourists have a two-day fixture against a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI in Benoni, with the game getting under way on Tuesday.

Anderson is set to feature as he aims to prove his fitness ahead of the opener at SuperSport Park, according to a tweet from his county, with Silverwood impressed by the experienced bowler's displays during practice.

Chris Silverwood confirms @jimmy9 will make his @englandcricket return in tomorrow's warm-up fixture against a South Africa Invitational XI #RedRoseTogether pic.twitter.com/TSLo5Zl05y

— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) December 16, 2019

"He [Anderson] is in fantastic physical condition," Silverwood told the media. "Watching him in the nets it looks like he's right in rhythm, he looks strong and he's doing what Jimmy does with the ball. He gets wickets.

The Proteas - who have appointed Mark Boucher as their new head coach - have named six uncapped players in their squad for the first two Tests.

Pacemen Dane Paterson and Beuran Hendricks, batsmen Pieter Malan and Rassie van der Dussen, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and wicketkeeper-batsman Rudi Second were all selected, along with opening batsman Aiden Markram, who missed the third and final Test against India in October due to a wrist injury.