Kent head coach Matt Walker on batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond becoming club captain from this summer

Head coach Matt Walker believes Kent are heading in a “different direction” with Daniel Bell-Drummond as their new club captain.

Batsman Bell-Drummond was appointed last October to replace wicketkeeper Sam Billings, who resigned from the role at the end of the 2023 season but will still be Spitfires’ T20 Blast skipper.

Jack Leaning took over as Kent’s County Championship captain from Billings after he quit as four-day skipper last June and had been open about his desire to get the captaincy on a permanent basis.

But Kent’s hierarchy gave Bell-Drummond the nod while Leaning, who has penned a new long-term contract this year, has since become vice-captain.

Walker said: “We have been very lucky with the captains that we have had here at Kent and I think it was an opportunity to sort of move in a different direction.

“Deebs has done it before, been at the club for a long time, he’s very well-respected as a player and as a person, and I think it’s the right time for Deebs.

“When he’s done it before, he’s done it really well. He’s a quiet captain, very thoughtful and that sort of style is a change - and we’ll see where it takes us.

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“He’s earned the right if you like with the years of service that he has done for the team.

“That’s a small part of it, really. But he’s tactically very good, has got the respect of the dressing room and the players, and has got a very calm and thoughtful approach.

“Jack did very well as stand-in captain last year. He really enjoyed it and did a really good job in a tough season.

“He will continue to be vice-captain across the board, lead the One-Day Cup side and continue his