Kent head coach Matt Walker on Simon Cook’s new position as the 46-year-old officially replaces retiring Paul Downton as director of cricket

Kent head coach Matt Walker always felt Simon Cook had the potential to become a director of cricket one day - it’s just come around much quicker than anticipated.

Cook officially replaced retiring 66-year-old Paul Downton as Kent director of cricket this week.

Cook is a former Kent team-mate of Walker and the pair have worked together in the team’s coaching staff since Cook returned to the club as a specialist bowling coach four years ago.

He was previously Hong Kong national team’s head coach before he came back to Canterbury.

Walker said: “It’ll change a bit and Paul going is a real change, having worked with him now for six years or so. It’s been an absolute pleasure.

“But that’s changing. Cooky coming in will keep the continuity.

“It’ll change in some ways but it’ll still be the sort of collaborative management-style group that we have always had.

Bowler set for Kent return

Duo leave Kent

“We’ve all been very collaborative - all of us as coaches and the captains. Cooky will now head it up and we’ll carry on that relationship.

“There will be slightly different roles but it’s good. I think Cooky will do a really good job. He’s that sort of character, he’s very organised.

“He did a similar role with Hong Kong cricket. Years ago, I remember when we hired him as bowling coach, through his interview, we realised he was someone - down the line - that could become a future director of cricket.

“It’s come early for him but I think he’ll be fine.”

Walker hopes the fact Cook is already familiar with Kent’s set-up means he hits the ground running in his new role.

He added: “The beauty of hiring someone from the inside, they provide that continuity, really, and know the club and the players and what’s gone before.

“That