Kent have appointed Heino Kuhn to lead the side at the start of the 2019 season.

He will take the reins while Sam Billings and Joe Denly are on duty in the Indian Premier League.

Kent skipper Billings is again playing for holders Chennai Super Kings while vice-captain Denly has been signed up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the competition which runs from late March to May.

Head coach Matt Walker confirmed Kuhn will be captain for the first part of the season, with Daniel Bell-Drummond taking on the vice-captaincy.

"It raised a great debate amongst us about who was the right person for that role," admitted Walker.

"We did think about alternative options and maybe trying a different route by giving a younger player some development options.

"Having spoke to Heino, he was very much up for it and very honoured to be asked.

"He got to know the guys very well last year and certainly wanted to develop his leadership role in terms of getting more involved with the batting group and taking that on as a leadership aspect.

"He's the obvious choice in many ways in terms of his experience, international quality and the way the boys respect him hugely. He's a great example.

"We could have gone for a bit more of a left-field route and really thrown someone the gauntlet but I think we're in safe hands with Heino."

Kuhn, 34, was absent for the recent South Africa training camp as he was still playing domestic cricket elsewhere in the country.

Kent open their Specsavers County Championships Division 1 campaign against Somerset at Taunton on Friday, April 5.