by Alex Hoad

Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens has backed Sam Northeast to be a future captain of the county.

The 35-year-old was not surprised to see skipper Rob Key stand down this winter after seven years at the helm at the St Lawrence Ground but revealed he thought promising batsman Northeast (pictured right) might even have been brought into the captaincy picture this season.

Stevens, currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League T20 competition, said: "I had a feeling about Keysey. You could tell he was a bit frustrated with his game last season. This way he gets to concentrate on playing cricket."

Stevens claimed spinner James Tredwell, 30, was a good choice to help bridge the gap between Key and Northeast, who at 23, is four years younger than Key was when he took over the role from David Fulton at the end of the 2006 season.

Stevens (pictured below) said: "I thought they might try to blend Sam into the captaincy with Keysey for a year. Treddy is a good stand-in. He has good experience and an excellent cricket brain.

"Treddy is a good age to go on as long as he wants but I do see Sam doing the job at some point."

Tredwell continues to impress for England’s one-day side in India, despite back-to-back losses sealing a series win for the hosts.

The spinner took 2-54 off his 10 overs as India cruised past their target of 257 by five wickets in Mohali on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old took 2-29 off seven overs as the hosts – chasing England’s meagre 155 all-out in Ranchi on Saturday – romped home for the loss of three wickets.

The fifth and final ODI is in Dharmasala on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Northeast has been chosen to make his MCC debut in the annual Champion County game against Warwickshire in Abu Dhabi in March.

Do you think Northeast is captaincy material? Have your say below.