Kent County Cricket Club today announced that Mike Denness is to be its President for 2012.

As a player and captain, the stylish batsman served Kent with distinction for 15 seasons. In total he played 333 times for the county, scoring 17,047 runs at an average of 32.90. Mike scored 21 centuries with a highest score of 178 against Somerset, at Maidstone, in 1975.

A former England international, Mike played 28 Test matches for England – including 19 as captain. He scored 1,667 runs, including four hundreds. His best of 188 came against Australia, in Melbourne on the 1974/75 tour. He also scored seven half centuries and averaged 39.69 in Test match cricket.

Mike later played for Essex, before becoming Chairman of the Kent Cricket Committee and an ICC match referee.

He succeeds another former Kent favourite, John Shepherd, who thoroughly enjoyed his year as President and is delighted to be passing on the great honour to Denness, a former team mate.

Commenting on his year as President, Shepherd said: “This year has been very special for me. First, the Past Presidents of The Club honoured me by inviting me to be the President for the 2011 Season; then the members voted me a Legend of Kent Cricket. Both accolades were unexpected but most humbling and I have had the time of my life. I’m pleased to announce that Mike Denness will succeed me as the KCCC President for the 2012 Season. Mike was an outstanding opening bat for Kent, who became Captain and was ever present in what we fondly call ‘The Kent Glory Years’.

“On telling him of his appointment, Mike said, ‘Shep, what a great Christmas present! This has cheered me up no end. Doreen and I are eagerly looking forward to my appointment and serving the Club again’. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this accolade than Mike, and if he has half as enjoyable a time as Sue and I experienced, he will have a wonderful year.”

Kent County Cricket Club Chairman, George Kennedy CBE said; “I first worked with Mike Denness when we were both General Committee members some years ago. I am delighted he is returning to the Club as President and particularly that he is following John Shepherd, another of Kent’s legends. The Committee were unanimous in ratifying the past Presidents’ recommendation. I am sure Mike and Doreen will thoroughly enjoy their year of office.”