KENT are hopeful that their international all-rounder Mark Ealham will soon sign a new deal to keep him at the St Lawrence ground. The 32-year-old club vice-captain and winner of eight Test caps only recently returned from representing England in the Hong Kong sixes and is the only Kent player yet to sign a new contract for 2002.

Kent chief executive Paul Millman is understandably keen to clinch Ealham's services on a long-term basis and prevent approaches for the all-rounder's services, but uncertainties surrounding the club captaincy and the appointment of a new director of cricket may yet play a part.

Ealham, holder of the record for the quickest one-day hundred in domestic cricket, has struggled for form in recent seasons and ended the 2001 campaign with just 23 championship wickets and 286 runs to his credit - 153 of which came in the final home game.

Kent plan to name their new director of cricket following the next cricket committee meeting on December 4. Whoever takes over the hot seat may well find his first job is to convince the county's most prized asset to stay at the club.