KENT CRICKET: KUHN CHOSEN

Kent have appointed Heino Kuhn to lead the side at the start of the 2019 season. He will take the reins while Sam Billings and Joe Denly are on duty in the Indian Premier League.

Head coach Matt Walker confirmed Kuhn will be captain for the first part of the season, with Daniel BellDrummond taking on the vice-captaincy.

“It raised a great debate amongst us about who was the right person for that role,” admitted Walker. “We did think about alternative options and maybe trying a different route by giving a younger player some development options. “Having spoke to Heino, he was very much up for it and very honoured to be asked. “He got to know the guys very well last year and certainly wanted to develop his leadership role in terms of getting more involved with the batting group and taking that on as a leadership aspect.

“He’s the obvious choice in many ways in terms of his experience, international quality and the way the boys respect him hugely. We could have gone for a bit more of a left-field route and really thrown someone the gauntlet but I think we’re in safe hands with Heino.” Kuhn, 34, was absent for the recent South Africa training camp as he was still playing cricket in his home country. Skipper Billings is again playing for IPL holders Chennai Super Kings while vice-captain Denly has been signed up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the competition which runs from late March to May. Kent open their Specsavers County Championships Division 1 campaign against Somerset at Taunton on Friday, April 5. Ashford Town SC were one of

23 clubs competing against each other in the Kent County Relay Championships held at Dover Leisure Centre over the weekend. Sixteen swimmers from Ashford Town competed in eight races, the 200m medley and 200m freestyle.

Two teams of boys and two teams of girls swam in the 13/14 year old and 12 years and under categories.

The club welcome new enthusiastic swimmers wanting to compete, they give the club the opportunity to cover more age ranges.

Competitions are mainly individual races but team events do come along, allowing swimmers to experience the camaraderie of participating with team-mates.