Kent could be without captain for two months

Interim Kent Cricket chief executive Ben Green has said the club could not stand in the way of new captain Sam Billings from playing in the Indian Premier League.

Billings was appointed as captain in January but looks set to miss up to the first two months of the domestic season while he plays for Chennai Super Kings.

Mr Green, 41, has said a player going to overseas tournaments is something all county clubs are having to deal with.

He said: “I can understand the frustrations of spectators and members but it is something that we would find difficult if we stood in the way of players.

“It is positive for him as a player and we will manage it but all county clubs are facing that challenge now when things like the IPL and the Big Bash come along, it’s something cricket is going to have to continue to adapt to.

“It is part of the cricket environment now and if we stood in the way we just wouldn’t be able to keep players such as Sam Billings.”

Billings was bought by the Super Kings during the IPL auction on Sunday for £110,000.

The IPL begins on April 4 with the final due to be played on May 31. Kent’s season begins with their first County Championship match on April 13 at home to Gloucestershire.

Mr Green has backed the 26-year-old as the best man to take the club forward and plans will be in place for the club to cope with his absence.

He said: “Sam was definitely the best captain, so in terms of captain of the club, that was the right decision.

“It’s important the players are able to play other forms of cricket.

“It’s something we have talked about with Sam, Matt and Paul about how we handle those periods and it’s clear those senior players step up.”

Mr Green is taking over CEO duties from Monday after joining the club in August 2017 as operations director.

Outgoing CEO Jamie Clifford leaves the club tomorrow (Friday) to take on a role of assistant secretary (membership and operations) at the MCC.

Kent flew out to Antigua on Saturday to compete in the West Indies Super50 one-day competition. They take on Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands and USA in the group stages, which started yesterday (Wednesday).

The tour will be led by assistant coach Allan Donald, who has now been granted his UK work permit and Min Patel.

The semi-finals will take place on February 21-22 and the final is on February 24.

Kent head coach Matt Walker will miss the tour. He flew Down Under last Friday to join up with the national side ahead of the T20 Tri series with Australia and New Zealand, which begins tomorrow (Friday).

Kent’s tour squad: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Alex Blake, Mitch Claydon, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Sean Dickson, Will Gidman, Calum Haggett, Matt Hunn, Imran Qayyum, Adam Riley, Ollie Robinson, Adam Rouse, Grant Stewart, Ivan Thomas, James Tredwell.

‘It is part of the cricket environment now’