Billings appointed Kent captain for 2018
Wednesday 17th January 2018
England wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings has been appointed Kent captain for the 2018 season.
The 26-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate will lead his boyhood club in all formats, succeeding Sam Northeast as the 35th captain in the club’s 148-year history.
Billings, currently on tour with England in Australia, 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 very talented group of players and I am really 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 very excited by the opportunity.”
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.”