Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Sam Northeast set to leave Kent
NORTHEAST TO LEAVE AFTER BEING REPLACED AS CAPTAIN
Sam Northeast has been replaced as Kent Cricket’s captain.
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 contract with Kent as he enters the last year, according to the club.
Kent’s 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 has 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.”
The Times reported in December that Northeast was looking to play in Division 1 to enhance his chances of playing Test cricket.
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 in the past three seasons, more than 3,600 since being named as Rob Key’s replacement as captain in 2016.
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 played for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. He was called up for the England ODI squad for their series in Australia. The 26-year-old has also been selected for the England T20 squad for the Tri-series against Australia and New Zealand. Billings, who was Kent vice-captain, said: “I am incredibly 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 years of age. “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 will be leaving for their preseason tour later this month when they travel to Antigua for the West Indies Super50 series. Joe Denly – currently playing for Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash League – will captain the side for the duration of that series while Billings is on England duty. Head coach Matt Walker will not be travelling with Kent as he is joining up with the England squad as a coach for the T20 Tri-series.