GLOUCESTERSHIRE batsman Chris Dent believes the opportunity to work closely with Michael Klinger can help him fulfil his captaincy ambitions.

As revealed on this website last week, Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell sees Dent as a future skipper and has named him vice-captain this season.

The left-hander feels captain Klinger helped his development as a batsman last season, with the pair striking up a good opening partnership, and now Dent is keen to learn more from him as a leader.

“It (being vice-captain) is a bit of an honour and gives me a bit more responsibility,” said Dent.

“Hopefully it can help me think about the game a bit more and see what it does take to be a good captain, spend a bit more time around Michael, and see what he does and how he goes about his business, which I’m looking forward to.

“Hopefully this year I can learn more about his leadership skills because I know that from last year he was a great leader to us and really inspired us and he’d be a great person to learn from.

“Being an opening batter like he is, he doesn’t just say ‘go out there and get some runs’, he’ll go out there with his pads on and show everyone how to do it so as a captain that’s a great skill to have that you’re willing to go out there and really lead from the front.

“It would be an honour (to be captain). I obviously wouldn’t turn it down if it came my way and it’s something I’ll look to aim for.”

Bracewell believes that Klinger is a great mentor for the likes of Dent and is trying to convince him to sign a new contract, revealing discussions began towards the end of last season.

“He is a very valuable asset to us and one we’d love to continue within this club, especially in the development of other leaders as well,” said Bracewell.

“He’s a very good captain in terms of running the dressing room and he is our best batter by a long way.”