Tredwell takes Kent reins from Key

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Former England batsman Rob Key has relinquished the Kent captaincy, ending seven seasons in charge that had made him the longest-serving skipper on the current county circuit. Off-spinner James Tredwell has been appointed his successor for next season.

Tredwell, 30, like Key is a one-county man who has represented England. Having made his senior Kent debut in 2001, Tredwell has been a regular for them and has played in one Test and nine one-day internationals - the most recent versus South Africa during September.

The announcement was made this morning during a press conference at Kent’s Canterbury home where Tredwell said: “Firstly, with the rich tradition of the club and all the great players and captains before, what a great honour it is to be asked to fulfil this position. Having come through the Kent system, it is with great pride I take on this challenge.

"Secondly, I would like to pass on my best wishes to Rob, being under his leadership on a personal note has taken my game forward and been a pleasure to play for.

"To fill his shoes will be a tough job as he performed the role admirably for a number of years, and tactically was in my opinion second to none. I see this opportunity as the next step in my career, and am really excited with the chance to tackle this challenge."

Rob Key announced his decision to step down as captain during a press conference at Kent's Canterbury home this morning

Key, 33, took over from David Fulton at the end of the 2005 campaign and led Kent to Twenty20 Cup glory in 2007. The next year they were runners-up in the same competition and the Friends Provident Trophy.

Key inherited a team in Division One of the LV= County Championship and kept them there until they were relegated in 2008. They returned to the top flight as Division Two champions at the earliest opportunity but remained there for only one season and have spent the last two in the second tier.

This year they came third in Division Two, ending 24 points behind the promoted sides, and in their Clydesdale Bank 40 group. They finished a place lower in their Friends Life t20 pool.

Key has represented Kent from the age of 11 and earned his first-class debut for them in 1998 aged 18. He has since made 253 first-class appearances for Kent.

He played 15 Tests, five ODIs and a solitary Twenty20 international in an England career spanning from 2002 to 2009. In 2004 he hit a Test double-century versus West Indies at Lord’s and was subsequently named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year.

Kent chairman Graham Johnson said: “This is a time to acknowledge two players who have come through the Kent system to play at the highest level.

“In Rob Key, we have to pay tribute to the longest-serving Kent captain in the professional era, his contribution has been immense.

"James Tredwell takes over in leading our team at an exciting time in the club's history and has all the right attributes and experience to build on the efforts so far and to take us to the next level. Both typify all that is best about Kent Cricket."

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