CAMERON Bancroft will cover for Michael Klinger as Gloucestershire’s overseas player for the early stages of the 2016 season.

The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman will stay at the county until Michael Klinger returns to the club at the end of May and Bancroft will be available for Gloucestershire’s first five County Championship matches.

Bancroft recently made his Australia debut in a twenty20 defeat to India, but was the third highest scorer in last year’s Sheffield Shield with 896 runs at an average of 47, including a best score of 211.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: “He’s been performing really well for Western Australia in four-day cricket for the last few seasons batting at the top of the order. He will bolster our batting during that period and he also gives us cover with the gloves if required.

“I talked to him this week and his hunger to come over and have a crack at county cricket really impressed me. He wants to come and learn and improve his game and that was massive for me.”