Jack Leaning to captain Kent in Royal London Cup

The former Yorkshire man takes the reins in the absence of Sam Billings, Daniel Bell-Drummond and other senior players including Joe Denly and Alex Blake

Batsman Jack Leaning will captain Kent in their Royal London Cup campaign.

Leaning has not played since July 9, when he was one of several players forced into self-isolation for 10 days following the county’s T20 Blast victory over Surrey. A Kent player tested positive for Covid-19, with all remaining members of the matchday squad deemed close contacts.

The former Yorkshire man takes the reins in the absence of Sam Billings, Daniel Bell-Drummond and other senior players including Joe Denly and Alex Blake.

Wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson has been appointed as his deputy, while also taking the gloves. Heino Kuhn also features; he captained Kent’s makeshift squad in their County Championship draw with Sussex last week.

Three members of that cobbled-together side have been named in a 16-man Royal London Cup squad: former Sussex batsman Harry Finch, Kent academy product Joe Gordon and Scotland international George Munsey have all signed on for the competition.

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Kent director of cricket Paul Downton said: “With a number of Kent players having earned the opportunity to play in The Hundred, this gives a great opportunity for some of our younger players and some new faces to impress wearing a Kent Spitfires shirt.

“This will be an exciting tournament that every county will feel that they have a chance of doing well in. We are really looking forward to playing our Royal London Cup games at Beckenham, a ground that has hosted some fantastic white-ball matches over the years.”

Regular head coach Matt Walker has been seconded for Hundred duty with Oval Invincibles, with Simon Cook taking over his role for the next month on an interim basis.