Sam Northeast has been appointed Kent County Cricket Club captain for 2016.

The 25-year-old Ashford-born batsman was the unanimous choice to succeed Rob Key after leading the side on the pitch for the majority of the 2015 season.

The Spitfire Batsman of the Year prospered in the role, hitting 2,007 runs in all formats this summer after stepping up from vice-captain.

After committing his long-term future to the club this summer, the Kent Cricket Academy graduate passed 6,000 first class career runs and was included in the PCA Team of 2015 with team-mate Matt Coles.

The former England Under-19 right-hander said: “It’s a great honour to become club captain of a team I’ve supported from a young age and follow in the footsteps of some great captains.

“Hopefully the future is bright for Kent and I can help bring some silverware back to the club.

“I would like to congratulate Keysy on an excellent job as captain and am sure he will have a large input going forward.”

Chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: “Sam has been seen as a potential leader as he has developed through the Kent Cricket system.

“He has shown maturity in the role, without it affecting his form, and he commands the respect of the dressing room.

“He is ambitious both personally and for the Kent team. The next stage of Kent Cricket development at the highest level is in good hands.

“In congratulating Sam on his appointment it would be wrong not to take this opportunity to acknowledge the huge debt Kent Cricket owes to Rob Key.

“His playing record stands for all to see and his role as Club Captain cannot be underestimated and the Club will benefit from his work over the years to come.

“In the immediate future it will be great to see Rob continue the fine form shown at the end of the season and working in support of Sam.”

Rob Key’s nine-year tenure is the longest captaincy at Kent since Colin Cowdrey’s 15 year spell in the role from 1957 to 1971.