Jack Leaning: Kent batter agrees new contract and is handed vice-captaincy

Jack Leaning joined Kent from Yorkshire in 2019

Kent have announced Jack Leaning has signed a new contract extension and been named the club's new vice-captain.

Leaning, 30, will stay with the Canterbury-based side until at least the end of the 2026 season.

The former Yorkshire batting all-rounder joined Kent in 2019 and will deputise for Daniel Bell-Drummond in the Championship team and Sam Billings in the limited-overs side.

"I'm extremely excited to see what the future holds at Kent," Leaning said.

"I was quick to make sure that I could commit to as many years as I could here going forward."

"These past few weeks, I've spent a lot of time with both my teammates for winter training but also with the guys in the club office, seeing how we as players can contribute towards more off-field success as well as on it.

"Together we're an extremely ambitious club and want to remain right up there with the Test-hosting counties."

Leaning, who has made 118 appearances for Kent, scored an unbeaten 220 in his second match for the county after joining from Yorkshire.

The right hander said he was "honoured" to be the new vice-skipper and has already captained the side on 32 occasions.

He also helped Kent to the T20 Blast title in 2021 ending a 14-year wait by the county for a trophy and was subsequently named the club's batter of the season that year.

Kent's director of cricket, Simon Cook added: "With captaincy being under a new model, it's important to maintain a consistent and balanced voice across formats.

"Jack is one of the leaders of our dressing room and shares our ambitions. I'm looking forward to seeing him lead our One-Day Cup side if he's available for us."