Kentish Express Ashford & District
Billings handed captaincy
KEEPER PROMOTED FROM VICE-CAPTAIN’S ROLE AS NORTHEAST’S TWO-YEAR REIGN COMES TO AN END Kent cricket
Sam Northeast has been replaced as Kent skipper.
The captaincy will be taken over by Sam Billings for the 2018 season with Northeast being allowed to speak to other counties.
The 28-year-old did not wish to extend his deal with Kent as he enters the last year of his contract, according to the club.
The Times reported in December that Northeast was looking to ply his trade in Division 1 to enhance his chances of playing Test cricket.
Chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: “With Sam Billings at the helm, we have someone who shares the pride in our tradition and excitement about our ambitions.
“We are in discussion with a number of players who are keen to join Kent and we will be reinforcing the squad with a number of recruits before the season starts.
“The club have granted Sam Northeast permission to talk to other clubs. Sam has opted not to sign a contract extension and we have reluctantly accepted his request to talk to other clubs despite our best efforts to convince him to commit his future to the club.”
Northeast has played for Kent since youth level and made his first-class debut against Durham in 2007.
He has scored 6,000 runs in all competitions for Kent during the past three seasons,
Northeast was recently selected for the England Lions white ball matches in the West Indies, which will be played in March.
Successor Billings has been in Australia this winter where he has played for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.
He was also called-up for the England ODI squad for their series in Australia, which started on Sunday.
Billings has also been selected for the England T20 squad for the Tri-series against Australia and New Zealand.
Billings, who was vicecaptain, said: “I am proud and honoured to have been offered the Kent captaincy.
“It means a lot personally as I have been involved at Kent since I was eight.
“We have a talented group of players and I am looking forward to working with all the players and the coaching staff to help take the club forward.
“It will be challenging but I am excited by the opportunity.”
Kent leave for their preseason tour later this month when they travel to Antigua for the West Indies Super50 series. Joe Denly will be captaining the side for the duration of this series while Billings is on England duty.
Head coach Matt Walker will not be travelling with the team as he is joining up with England as a coach for the T20 Tri-series.