Daniel Bell-Drummond has thanked Geraint Jones for being a huge support in the early stages of his Kent career.

The former Kent wicketkeeper has announced that he will be hanging up the gloves at the end of the season, opting to end his stint with Gloucestershire a year early.

Jones, 39, made the move to the Bristol based side over the winter, ending a 14 year spell with Kent and initially agreed a two year deal, but has decided to call time on his highly successful career to spend more time with his family.

The Ashes winner proved to be a real role model in his time with Kent, helping to bring on the next generation of cricketers, guiding wicketkeepers Sam Billings and Ryan Davies.

However, Jones has also been a real influence on many of the young cricketers coming through the Kent system, no more so than with Daniel Bell-Drummond and the 21 year old was keen to pass on his thanks for the support he was shown as he made his way through into the Kent first team:

“Jonesy was probably my role model growing up and the most friendliest and warm of senior pros as I came into the dressing room at Kent.”

“I remember being a fifteen year old and giving some throw downs to the Kent team and he waited until after the session was finished to give me some throws.”

“He’s a brilliant person as well as a great cricketer. He’s a wonderful guy and I wish him all the best.”

“It was sad when he left here, but I guess things move on.”

The irony is that Jones could bring down the curtain on his professional career at Canterbury with Gloucestershire coming to Kent for the LV County Championship game beginning on Monday 14th September.

That will be Kent’s final fixture of the season, with Gloucestershire to end their campaign at home a week later and Bell-Drummond hopes the former Kent man gets the accolades he deserves if he plays in the game at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence:

“I am sure we would all be more than happy to give him a guard of honour, or something like that, because he has been a wonderful performer, especially for Kent.”

“Hopefully he gets to play in that game and so do I, but I hope he doesn’t get to score too many runs as I know what a dangerous player he can be on his day!”