Geraint Jones: Kent to release England's 2005 Ashes star

Jones has been a key player for Kent since 2001

Kent are to release Geraint Jones at the end of the season.

The wicketkeeper/batsman, who was part of England's 2005 Ashes-winning side, will not be offered a new contract.

Jones, 38, made his first-class debut for Kent in 2001 and has scored 7048 runs at an average of 34.53, including 14 hundreds - his highest a 178 against Somerset in 2010 - and 466 dismissals.

"I will look back with a tremendous amount of pride on all that I have achieved with the county," he said.

Jones was a member of Kent's victorious Twenty20 side of 2007 and the team that were runners-up the following year.

More recently he lost his place to Sam Billings and joined Gloucestershire in May on a two-month loan deal, but returned to Kent four weeks later after suffering an eye injury.

A highlight of his international career was a famous catch off Steve Harmison to dismiss Australia's Michael Kasprowicz and secure a two-run win at Edgbaston in the second Test of the 2005 Ashes series.

"Decisions such as these are never easy," said Kent's president and chairman of cricket Graham Johnson.

"Geraint has been dignified in his approach to his contract position and extremely supportive of the squad during the 2014 season.

"Geraint can be rightly proud of the huge contribution to Kent that he has made over his career."