KENT have axed experienced wicketkeeper Paul Nixon and decided to back youth following the breakdown of contract talks between the club and players’ agent.

Nixon, 32 next month, was given the news by Kent captain David Fulton in a Leeds hotel room on Tuesday night, the eve of the county’s final championship match of the season against Yorkshire.

Contract negotiations stalled when Kent officials, concerned by losses of £138,000 and £40,000 in the previous two seasons, invited the England A wicketkeeper to take a pay-cut.

Stalemate followed when the player, an ever present for Kent since joining from Leicestershire three years ago, asked for improved terms.

Talking exclusively to the Kent Messenger, Nixon said: "I’m obviously disappointed we couldn’t come to an agreement. The club were keen I should take a decrease in wages, which I felt was harsh after a good year.

"Sadly they didn’t come back with an offer, but if the club want to go that way and save money, then so be it. I wanted to stay at the club. I think we’re just starting to click as a unit and, with a little added strength, can be a consistent, winning side, but sadly I won’t be part of that."

Nixon, who won championship medals with Leicestershire in 1996 and 1998, was clearly distracted by the news but elected to play on at Headingley.

"I’m a bit down and a little emotional at the moment and it was tough telling the boys in the dressing room, but I think it was right that it came from me," he added. "Good communication is what makes good teams very good and Kent can perhaps get better in that department.

"It was a big decision to come down here three years ago and I gave up a benefit, but I’m sad that the journey’s ending here.

"I play my 300th match without missing a game though injury this Sunday, that’s a record I’m proud of, but I feel I’ve got a lot of cricket to play and plenty to offer another county.

"I haven’t had time to think of what next, but the trouble with being a wicketkeeper is that there are only 17 other jobs to go for.

"I like to win and I still want to play for England, I’ve got my own personal goals of scoring 10,000 runs and taking 1,000 dismissals and I still aim to achieve them. Again, I’m sad that won’t be with Kent."

Commenting on the decision, Kent chief executive Paul Millman said: "Paul has made an enormous contribution to Kent and has been a model professional, setting the highest possible standards to others.

"Sadly, the economics of cricket and sport in general are not easy at present. These factors, along with the competitive environment that exists for all places at Kent, have led to this difficult decision."

Kent will now back 26-year-old Geraint Jones as their first choice keeper for 2003.

Jones, raised in Australia and born in Papua New Guinea, has been 2nd XI leading run-scorer for the past three seasons and impressed when taking over the gloves from Nixon in a the one-day friendly against India in June.

Kent are expected to announce their retained players list on Monday, but have already confirmed that former England paceman Martin McCague and 22-year-old opening batsman Matthew Banes will be leaving.

McCague has not made a championship appearance in this his benefit season after signing a ‘pay as you play’ deal for 2002, while Banes is released after playing just two first-class games for the county in four seasons.

Although he has now finished his studies at Durham University, Banes is thought surplus to requirements and was released on the same day as being awarded his 2nd team cap. All three players are now searching for a new club.

Meanwhile, Kent’s coaching consultant for 2001, John Inverarity, has been appointed Warwickshire’s director of coaching in succession to Bob Woolmer. He joins the Edgbaston-based county on a two-year deal.