BIRDSONG and the gentle hum of a lawnmower trimming the outfield were the only sounds as Kent’s new Kolpak signing Ryan McLaren took his first look at the county’s headquarters.

Yet when McLaren makes his scheduled home Championship debut on Wednesday, May 2 against reigning champions Sussex, the 24-year-old will be hoping to make St Lawrence more a scene of cricketing carnage.

The paceman from Cape Province arrived fresh from a stunning domestic campaign where he finished leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket after bagging 54 wickets for his club side, Gestetner Diamond Eagles. So little wonder he hopes to make a name for himself in county cricket as well.

He said: "Every cricket field in the world has its own story to tell and Canterbury seems a very calming place and full of history.

"I’m so happy to see it now because I’m told changes are planned here and I’m impressed with all that I’ve seen.

"I’ve played on slopes like this in club cricket up in the Midlands but I don’t think it’ll be that much of a problem.

"I saw the old lime tree on the television, when the ground hosted a World Cup match in 1999 and before I start playing here, I will take some time to get a feel for the history of the club.

"I’ve already seen the photos of all the big name players who have been here down the years. Looking at those, it will be a great honour should I ever get my name and picture up there."