Dawson signs for Northants

Richard Dawson, the former England offspinner who was released by Yorkshire at the end of the summer, has signed a contract to play for Northamptonshire in 2007.

Although Northants already have one high-profile spinner in Monty Panesar, England call-ups are likely to severely impact on his availability for the county.

Northants also confirmed the signing of Andrew Crook, Richard Logan and Richard Browning.

Crook returns to the county after an unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford, and Logan also finds his way back after six years spent at Nottinghamshire and Hampshire. Browning, an 18-year-old bowler, has been signed from the Derbyshire Academy