Key will be looking to score more freely next summer

He will lead a new-look squad including Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat, who will be one of their overseas players alongside Andrew Hall.

Arafat took 41 wickets and averaged 43 with the bat in eight Championship appearances for Sussex this summer.

The club have decided to release former skipper David Fulton, keeper Niall O'Brien and seamers Simon Cusden, Matt Dennington and David Stiff.

Min Patel keeps the vice-captaincy, batsman Matt Walker and spinner Rob Ferley are close to agreeing new deals.

But talks are ongoing about the future of former England paceman Martin Saggers after another injury-plagued campaign.

Explaining the changes, Director of Cricket Graham Ford said: "I believe we have made good progress in a number of areas this year, but as always we are looking to improve the squad for next season... particularly in the seam bowling area."

Arafat made a big contribution to Sussex's title success

Key, meanwhile, will spend the winter in Perth as part of the National Academy squad and will also provide cover for England's Ashes squad.

His selection has provided a welcome boost after a season in which he has under-achieved with the bat, scoring 731 Championship runs.

"His commitment to the team has probably impacted on his own form," said chairman of cricket, Graham Johnson.

But he added: "He has made an excellent start as club captain. Like many who have watched Kent this year, Rob is eager to turn our great competitiveness into more tangible results in 2007."

The decision not to offer 34-year-old Fulton a new contract is no real surprise, after he indicated he was thinking over his future in the game.

He marked his departure with an innings of 155 in the current match against Middlesex and said: "It is with great sadness, but not bitterness, that I leave the club I have played for 15 years and have supported since I was a boy."