Jake Libby said he has loved his month spent on loan at Northamptonshire and admitted that as more opportunities were not forthcoming at Trent Bridge, he would consider a further stay at Wantage Road.
The 23-year-old opening batsman is currently playing for Northants against Leicester, the last of the four match agreement with Libby set to return to Trent Bridge following the conclusion of the game.
Only Ben Duckett has scored more runs than Libby for Northants in the opening month of the Championship season, his tally of 198 including a second First Class century in the draw against Derbyshire last week.
Solid and composed at the wicket, Libby looks every inch the traditional opener, quietly consuming his runs to form an effective if opposite partnership with Duckett, the pair sharing two century stands, as well as a 72, in a position that has proved troublesome for Northants in recent years.
Speaking after the third day of the match at Grace Road was washed out, Leicestershire were frustrated in their bid to push for a second victory of the season leading by 313 with four second innings wickets in hand, Libby said he had welcomed the opportunity to join Northants and score more First Class runs.
“They’re a great bunch of lads and I’ve really enjoyed my month here so far,” he said. “Enjoyed opening with Ducky [Ben Duckett] at the top of the order, we seem to be going well and combining well.
“They’re a good bunch of lads, lots of characters in there, they enjoy their cricket and play it hard on the pitch and it’s been good to be part of.
“I was looking to come down here and it’s a good opportunity for me to play some First Team cricket, get some First Class runs under my belt. I felt I’ve done okay in some tough conditions, it was good to get the 100 last week and I can only do my part and try and score the runs.”
Libby scored a century on his Nottinghamshire debut in August 2014, but has only played five Championship games for the county after a cruciate ligament ruled him out of much of last summer.
His Trent Bridge future could depend on the fortunes of Alex Hales, and whether he keeps his Test place or not, but Libby said he would consider returning to Northants in the future.
“Northampton’s still a lovely ground, obviously a little bit different [to Trent Bridge] but it’s the same cricket, it’s First Class cricket so there’s not a lot of differences, there’s jokers in the team and it’s all much of a muchness really.”
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here as I said, it’s not for me to decide that, things will pan out, I’m just enjoying my cricket and trying to score runs wherever possible, but I’ve loved being part of Northampton and it’s something I would definitely consider in the future.”
