Key hopes Mahmood can help inspire Kent this season (Getty)

Kent captain Rob Key thinks Azhar Mahmood's experience could prove crucial this season.

The 33-year-old ex-Surrey and Pakistan all-rounder joined Kent in November.

Key said: "Experience is the main thing, he's one of the biggest hitters in the game, one of the best death bowlers around.

"At the start of last summer you've got a lot of options and by the end you're looking at blokes with almost half a leg. Now that won't be a problem."

Meanwhile, Danish-born fast bowler Amjad Khan hopes to be back by the end of the month after surgery on a potentially career-ending knee injury.

"I'm not a spin bowler, I'm here to bowl fast. I expect a couple of weeks to get into things again."