Daniel Bell-Drummond is relishing the chance to step up as a leader after being appointed as Kent’s interim vice-captain.

The 25-year-old will provide support to Heino Kuhn after the South African was named the club’s stand-in skipper for the start of the 2019 season.

Both will take on the roles in the absence of Sam Billings and Joe Denly as they compete in the Indian Premier League.

Bell-Drummond said: “It’s a big achievement with Joe (Denly) and Sam Billings away.

“The opportunity arose so I’m glad to be able to take it on in the two months or so that they’re away, I’ll give it my all and hopefully help the club do well.

“Being amongst the leadership group can only be a good thing, I’ll learn some big lessons and hopefully have a positive impact on the team.

“From a personal level I’m really looking forward to it, I’ll try and help Heino (Kuhn) in any capacity he needs.

“Being a senior player now I’m glad I could step up and take a role on which can help the club.”

Head coach Matt Walker recently admitted the club considered approaching one of the younger members of the team amid the decision-making process surrounding the captaincy.

The mixture of youth and experience is a component Kent are hoping can prove key while the likes of of Billings and Denly are unavailable.

Bell-Drummond added: “There are a lot of good young guys coming through like Zak Crawley and Ollie Robinson, then there are some senior guys like Darren Stevens who are still going strong so there’s a lovely blend actually.

“We’ll all need to step up with the two guys away.”

A busy winter of plying his trade abroad has prepared Bell-Drummond well for the season ahead as Kent play in the top tier for the first time since 2010.

The Englishman, who is three short of 100 first class matches, said: “It was good fun, it’s great to get away especially in the winter.

“I enjoyed it, I had a great time in Australia playing club cricket there (for Randwick Petersham), and then I played in the Twenty20 Super Smash in New Zealand (for Auckland) which was great fun.

“It puts me in good stead ready for the summer, I’m match ready and I don’t need too many warm ups.”

This summer will also provide Bell-Drummond’s with his first experience of Division 1 following his debut in 2011 and an opportunity for him to improve on last season’s modest batting average of 19.82.

Nonetheless, the step up to a higher level is a challenge both he and his Kent teammates will embrace rather than fear.

Bell-Drummond added: “We’re really excited, it’s definitely a big year for the club.

“We don’t want to put too much emphasis on the difference between Division 2 and Division 1 from a performance point of view. We’re quietly confident.”

Kent's opening friendly against Sussex is due to get underway on Thursday morning.

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