Kent: Daniel Bell-Drummond appointed as club captain to replace Sam Billings

Daniel Bell-Drummond has scored 7,918 first-class runs at an average of 33.83

Kent batter Daniel Bell-Drummond will replace Sam Billings as club captain.

Bell-Drummond, 30, will lead the side in first-class cricket but wicketkeeper Billings, 32, will remain as skipper in the T20 Blast.

Bell-Drummond said it was an "honour and privilege" to become the 36th player to hold the role.

The right-handed opener has already captained the side on 42 occasions over the past four years.

A graduate of the club's academy, he has scored over 15,000 runs over the course of 369 appearances for Kent since making his debut in all three formats in 2011.

"I've been a Kent cricketer since I was seven years old," uncapped Englishman Bell-Drummond added.

"It's now my job, alongside the rest of the playing squad, to take Kent forward. I'm looking forward to shaping this team into being competitive on all fronts."

Billings had assumed the club captaincy in January 2018 guided the side to promotion to Division One and the One-Day Cup final in his first season, while he lifted the T20 Blast trophy in 2021 at Edgbaston.

He has amassed 68 England caps across all formats, but announced his decision to step down from the club captaincy last week.

"I'm delighted to remain as the T20 captain of the Kent Spitfires," Billings said.

"It's a role that I have loved doing. It's always an honour to captain any Kent side. Daniel will be an outstanding club captain and it'll be great to work in partnership for the Blast."

Kent will confirm their captain for next season's Metro Bank One-Day Cup closer to the start of the competition.