KENT County Cricket Club's president for 2004 will be Brian Luckhurst, the former England Test cricketer and Kent opening batsman.

Luckhurst, who joined Kent in 1954, attended his 50th Canterbury Festival Week in July and was honoured at this year’s Players’ Award Ceremony in recognition of his long association with the club.

He has served Kent as player, coach, manager of the Ames-Levett sports centre and member of the commercial team. He retired in September this year.

Luckhurst’s first-class career lasted from from 1958-1985, during which time he made 22,303 runs (including 48 centuries) and took 64 wickets and 391 catches.

He made 21 Test appearances, scoring 1,298 runs (including four centuries) and took 14 catches.

Kent’s president for 2003, Robert Neame, chairman of Shepherd Neame, said: "Brian has been a great ambassador for the club. I wish him every success for the year ahead."

Luckhurst will assume the presidency at the annual meeting on Monday, March 15, at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury. The meeting will begin at 7.30pm.