Kent County Cricket Club have announced the appointment of a new president for 2018.

Jonathan Rice was today announced as taking on the role and has been a member of the club for more than 30 years. He is also chairman of the Kent Cricket Heritage Trust.

He is president of Saltwood Cricket Club and has been the national chairman of the Lord’s Taverners charity.

He succeeds Charles Rowe, who was president for 2017.

Mr Rice is a consultant and author who has written more than 50 books on topics including cricket, golf, pop music, TV sitcoms and business in Japan.

He told the club’s website: “It is a great honour to succeed Charlie Rowe as president in 2018.

“As a Kent supporter for many years and committee member for over a decade, I look forward to supporting the club in any way I can during my presidency.

“It’s an exciting time for the club and I’m looking forward to a great season.”

Mr Rowe has thanked everyone at the club for their help over 2017 and said it has been a “real highlight in my life”.

He also wished his successor the best of luck for the coming year.

He said: “It has been a tremendous honour for me to have been president of Kent County Cricket Club in 2017 and I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the club again.

“I would like to thank everyone involved with the club for their friendliness and help. It has certainly made my role a lot easier to carry out. I will remember this year as president as a real highlight in my life.”

“I wish my successor a happy, enjoyable and successful year in 2018. He loves cricket and Kent cricket, in particular. I’m sure he will be a popular choice with members and thoroughly deserves the honour.

“Finally, I wish Kent all the best in 2018 and in these cold winter months, I very much look forward to watching them next year in the warm summer days ahead.”