CARL Openshaw has announced that he will be standing down as chairman of Kent County Cricket Club before the start of the new season.

Mr Openshaw, who is 69, will also retire from the committee at the same time.

He was elected to the Kent committee in 1994 and has been chairman of the club since 1999, the second longest-serving chairman of the 18 first class counties.

Kent will elect its new Chairman following the annual meeting on March 10.

Mr Openshaw said: “It has been a privilege to be chairman of Kent County Cricket Club for the past nine years. I look forward to continuing to give my full support to the club in the future.”

George Kennedy, the Kent president said: "The Club owe Carl a great debt of gratitude for his outstanding leadership over many years.

"Not only for steering Kent through some difficult times but his efforts at ECB level to ensure our views were heard has been hugely beneficial to not only Kent but cricket in general.

"He is very well respected throughout the cricket world and I am sure he will continue to contribute to the good of the game in some form.

"I am sure all Kent members, players and staff wish Carl well for the future and look forward to seeing him sit back with time to enjoy the cricket."