Daniel Bell-Drummond has been appointed as Kent vice-captain, taking over from Joe Denly as Sam Billings' deputy.

Bell-Drummond, 27, joined Kent 20 years ago, rising through the club's age group and academy system before making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2011.

He has stood in as captain on 22 occasions already, including eight Vitality Blast matches last season, winning five and finishing the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 423 runs at an average of 42.30 and strike rate of 154.94.

"I have always worn the Kent shirt with pride, and to now make the next step up into a vice-captaincy role is something I am really looking forward to," Bell-Drummond said.

Paul Downton, Kent's Director of Cricket, said: "In all spheres of sport, it's always heartening to see a homegrown player develop into a leader in the dressing room, which 'DBD' has definitely done. Whilst Sam Billings remains our club captain, when Daniel has had the opportunity to captain the side in Sam's absence, he has done so with a calm authority; and this has made him the obvious choice to be promoted to vice-captain of the club.

"I'd also like to thank Joe Denly for his time as vice-captain. Joe remains a leader in the dressing room, both on and off the field, and continues to have a huge appetite to score a lot of runs for Kent."

Denly lost his white-ball contract with England when the ECB announced its centrally contracted players for 2020-21 last September. He has spent time over the English winter with Brisbane Heat in the BBL and PSL side Lahore Qalandars.

Kent open their Championship campaign against Northamptonshire on April 8 and Bell-Drummond will have the opportunity to lead his side early in the season while Billings, currently touring India with England's white-ball squad, is at the IPL with Delhi Capitals.