KENT have chosen England batsman Rob Key as their new club captain for 2006 following the resignation of David Fulton.

The 26-year-old from Beckenham takes over the helm from Fulton to form an experienced partnership at the helm with new vice captain Min Patel, who only this week turned down Warwickshire’s overtures to stay in Canterbury.

With 15 Test caps and 118 county appearances behind him, Key undoubtedly sees the responsibility of leadership as the next step on a successful career path and a way of re-kindling international recognition by emulating the likes of Andrew Strauss, whose elevation to captain Middlesex prompted a promotion to the Test side.

"I am thrilled to have been asked to captain Kent and look forward to giving it my best shot," said Key, who becomes the 29th player to be named official club captain since Lord Harris left the helm in 1889.

"I remain committed to getting back into the England side and am sure that my added responsibilities at Kent will help me do this.

"Min and I will work well together. Min has committed himself to all forms of cricket and I hope we can play positive championship cricket and make amends of our recent poor performances in one-day competitions."

Key, who has played for Kent since the age of 12, made his county debut in 1998 batting over an hour for 15 to help secure an unlikely win in a rain-effected game with Middlesex.

He has scored 24 centuries for Kent, scored 8,181 runs for the club and passed 1,000 runs for a season four times, enjoying his best season in 2004 when he amassed 1,896 runs.

In backing Key’s promotion, chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: "We conducted a rigorous process before reaching this conclusion, studying a range of captaincy options, including overseas candidates.

"Having considered suitability and availability of all the contenders we decided to ask Rob to take on the role and I am delighted that he has accepted the challenge of leading Kent in 2006.

"We need to re-double our efforts in the championship whilst reinventing ourselves as a one-day force.

"Working in tandem with Min as vice captain, Graham Ford, the players and the cricket management team I feel we have a combination that is aware of the requirements to do well, but also understands the values that underpin Kent cricket.

"We were impressed by how much desire both Rob and Min have to want to shape and be part of a successful Kent team and how much they are 'up for the job'."