Batsman Tim Hancock has been given a boost ahead of the new season by being named as Gloucestershire's vice captain.

The 27 year-old will take charge on the first leg of Gloucestershire's pre-season tour of South Africa.

Gloucestershire did not have a vice captain last season but with Mark Alleyne likely to be involved with England, it was decided to appoint one. Hancock has a first team place and is a potential captain of the future.

The whole squad will travel to Kimberley on 18th March with Hancock leading the side while Alleyne has a rest. The captain will then join up with the squad in Cape Town on 25th March. Gloucestershire will play the winners of South Africa's one-day competition, the Standard Bank Cup, on 2nd April, probably under the lights in Cape Town. The final of the Standard Bank Cup is being held on 24th March.

The squad will then return to England for their first pre-season friendly starting on 5th April.