Following the departure of John Sadler after their Blast quarter final loss to Somerset, Northamptonshire wasted no time in appointing Darren Lehmann as head coach. Lehmann has enjoyed plenty of success as both a player and coach and is a no nonsense Aussie. He played for 10 years at Yorkshire, so has plenty of experience of county cricket, but might have his work cut out at Wantage Road, particularly following the departure of two of their more productive players, Emilio Gay and Jack White. With the likes of David Willey and Ravi Bopara bolstering the Blast squad, they have a chance of another quarter final spot, but a top two place in the Championship looks a way off.
Runs from Luke Procter, Emilio Gay and Ricardo Vasconselos kept them in games, but it was the recruitment of Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for four of the last five Championship matches that brought about their only two wins of the campaign. Gay joined up with his new club Durham prior to the end of the season and his runs at the top of the order will be difficult to replace. Matt Breetzke was recruited for the Blast last year, topping their run scoring in that competition with 460 at a strike rate 153.84 and this year the South African keeper/batter has also been brought in for the first batch of Championship fixtures. One bright spot was the performance of our “One to Watch” for last season James Sales, who made 364 runs at 60.66 in his seven first class appearances.
The lack of penetration in the bowling remains an issue, Ben Sanderson taking almost twice as many wickets (41) as the next seamer Procter, with just 21 at 34.42. Justin Broad was the only other non-overseas pace bowler to reach double figures in the wickets column with 19 at 30.36. Lehmann has made a start at addressing this problem by bringing in 27-year-old Liam Guthrie on a three year deal. The West Australian has been playing for Queensland more recently, but qualifies as a home player thanks to a UK passport. He is a left arm quick who has struggled to secure a regular first team place at home and although he has played for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, his last appearance was back in 2021. However Lehmann will know what he has to offer following his time as coach at Queensland.
After his exploits last season it was a no-brainer to get Chahal back and he will be available for the County Championship and One-Day Cup from 22 June until the end of September. Northants have also enticed 23-year-old Dom Leech from Yorkshire on a three-year contract. He came on loan at the end of last season, but only bowled 22.4 overs in four innings, taking just one wicket. Rob Keogh was the second highest Championship wicket taker, capturing 23 at a creditable 26.73 with his off spin. Liam Patterson-White also took 13 wickets in his three Championship games.
Bopara will be back with the Steelbacks for the Blast and Ashton Agar also returns having played six games last summer. The 31-year-old T20 World Cup winner enjoyed a strike rate of over 190. David Willey remains at the helm of the Blast side.
Key player
Luke Procter has a lot on his plate, contributing both runs and wickets as well as captaining the Championship side. He was their top run scorer with 923 at 48.57 and took 21 wickets. However, he cannot do it all on his own and will be grateful for the rest he gets during the white ball competitions.
One to watch
Young hopefuls usually appear in the One Day Cup sides, but no one really put their hand up from the Northants lower ranks last year. 23-year-old Augustus Horatio Miller, Gus to his friends, scored 192 runs at 32.00 in the 50 over competition and made his Championship debut. He scored 42 in the win against Derbyshire and can also bowl medium pace. He has been rewarded with a one year extension to his contract, keeping him at Wantage Road until the end of the 2026 season.
Ins and Outs
Overseas signings: Matt Breetzke, (South Africa, for first eight Championship games and first half of T20 group stage), Ashton Agar (Australia, for T20), Yuzvendra Chahal (India, from 22 June for Championship and One-Day Cup)
Ins: Dom Leech (Yorkshire), Arush Buchake (youth), Aadi Sharma, (youth), Liam Guthrie (UKP)
Outs: Emilio Gay (Durham), George Gowler (released), Alex Russell (released), George Weldon (released), Jack White (Yorkshire)
How will they fare
They will need more from their bowling and might be looking for an overseas quick if they to be a contender for promotion from Divison Two in the Championship. However, if Chahal is given some spin friendly pitches he demonstrated what he is capable of at the end of last season. Their best chance of success is in the white ball competitions.
Opening fixture: CC vs Kent on April 4 at County Ground, Northampton
Likely Championshgip XI
- Vasconselos
- Procter
- Breetzke
- Sales
- Bartlett
- Keogh
- Zaib
- McManus (WK)
- Guthrie
- Broad
- Sanderson
