New Lordswood captain Amjad Khan is keen to break down the barriers at Martyn Grove.

The 36-year-old has taken over from Linden Lockhart – now at Tenterden – and wants to give everyone the chance to shine, starting with Saturday’s Premier Division opener at Sevenoaks Vine.

He said: “I see it as a great opportunity. I don’t see it as being captain of the first team, I have been made club captain and that is a huge responsibility.

“Something I have been big on straight away is that there is no first and second team, we need to come together as a club.

“We are a family club, there are no divides, and I want people to come here, play cricket and enjoy it. Everyone is entitled to play.

“I am influenced by my time at Sussex, which was very much a family club. Everybody is part of it and that is the philosophy I take forward. I like to think of us as being an inclusive club – nobody is excluded.”

Khan spent nine years at Kent before switching to Sussex for a couple of seasons between 2011 and 2013. During his playing career he made a Test appearance for England against West Indies.

Born in Denmark, he gained British citizenship in 2006 and is now keen to pass on his experience to help nurture some of the growing talent at Lordswood.

Ed Taylor is involved with Sussex while Michael French has been at Kent, as has Nathan Mitchell.

“I remember when I was 16,” Khan said. “It’s an important age, you either progress or you fall down as it is just before becoming an adult. If someone has ability it is my duty to push them on further.

“If we bond well and gel then I believe we can produce some standout performances.”

Players like Michael Samuels and James Murphy have been described by Khan as huge talents and could get a chance to show what they can do.

Khan’s Danish compatriot, Zameer Khan, is back for another season. He scored 2,000 runs in all forms and has been described as a run-getter by the Lords captain, who also has Fabian Cowdrey and Sean Dickson at his disposal.