Rob Key insists despite missing much of pre-season he has no plans to retire and intends to earn his place in the Kent line-up this summer.

The former skipper, who turns 37 in May, is set to fly out to India on Thursday to form part of Sky Sports’ team covering the ICC World T20.

After the final in Kolkata on April 3, however, Key intends to return to the UK for the four-day warm-up game against Loughborough MCCU at Canterbury two days later for what would be his 300th First Class appearance – and hopes to hit the ground running in 2016, a year which could see him pass 20,000 First Class runs.

Key said: “I’ve had a great winter and have been very fortunate to cover a lot of England games. It’s a nice gig to have during the winter. I am nearing the end of my playing career and I need to keep my options open for life after I have finished.

“I have a year left at Kent though and I am happy to have it – you’re a long time retired. After this year, who knows.”

Key admitted ‘there is always the option to not come back’ if his enthusiasm for the game had dwindled, however he said he was keen to play without the burden of captaincy for just the second season in the past 11 years.

He claimed: “I probably average half as many runs in seasons when I was captain as when I could just concentrate on playing my game.

“I gave up the captaincy but I came back to it to help out and, as much as you don’t want it to mean you sacrifice your own game, it did. The dual-role grinds you down. I probably averaged 70 after I gave it up again last year.

“Right now I just look forward to being able to play cricket without any of those concerns.”

New Zealand opener Tom Latham signed last week and joins Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly and Key vying for top-order playing time.

Key added: “I had nine years as captain but nobody has the God-given right to play. Fortunately those decisions are nothing to do with me anymore. All I can do is concentrate on doing what I can do.”

The capture of Latham and South African quick Kagiso Rabada have given fans cause for excitement and Key added: “Every year we come in with optimism, it’s always the best time of year, you haven’t lost a game and anything could happen.”

Of Rabada Key said: “I have seen a lot of him and he looks to be one of the most exciting bowlers in world cricket. It’s just a shame that these days you don’t get these players for a whole year.

“Latham looks a good player too, three international centuries and a place in a good New Zealand side.”

Key claimed Sam Billings has ‘the most exciting summer’ ahead of him and added: “I know he is highly regarded in the England set-up. Going to the ICC World T20 and then the IPL is an experience not many English players get to do but he deserves everything he gets.

“It’s not a straightforward role for him to play at this stage, but there is no ceiling on him as a player, in white-ball or Test cricket and he is arguably the best keeper in the set-up.”