Lack of depth could limit opportunities
Nick Hoult provides a preview of Northamptonshire for the 2006 season
Nick Hoult
14-Apr-2006
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Revolving door
The South African influence at Wantage Road shows no sign of abating. With Johann Louw joining Middlesex, Northants have turned to a familiar recruiting ground for a replacement, with Lance Klusener joining as a Kolpak signing. Louw, one of the first Kolpak players, left Northants allegedly to establish his career in South Africa. So there was much harrumphing when he signed for Middlesex as an overseas player. The ex-Worcestershire opening batsman Stephen Peters will be hoping the director of cricket Kepler Wessels can kick-start his career, as he did with Usman Afzaal and Bilal Shafayat.
Winter wonderland
Shafayat joined Monty Panesar at Darren Lehmann's academy in Adelaide while Afzaal played club cricket in Mumbai and commentated on Indian television.
Shafayat joined Monty Panesar at Darren Lehmann's academy in Adelaide while Afzaal played club cricket in Mumbai and commentated on Indian television.
Strengths
Monty Panesar's spin-bowling partnership with Jason Brown brought five wins in the final nine Championship games last season and, even if Panesar makes the England squad, another left-armer, Graeme White, is waiting for promotion from the 2nd XI.
Monty Panesar's spin-bowling partnership with Jason Brown brought five wins in the final nine Championship games last season and, even if Panesar makes the England squad, another left-armer, Graeme White, is waiting for promotion from the 2nd XI.
Weaknesses
Strength in depth is again lacking. A small budget equals a small squad and, with a couple of broken fingers here and a muscle strain there, Northants will be raiding their academy. Expect a few firstclass debuts if injuries strike.
Strength in depth is again lacking. A small budget equals a small squad and, with a couple of broken fingers here and a muscle strain there, Northants will be raiding their academy. Expect a few firstclass debuts if injuries strike.
Best-case scenario
Another yo-yo back up to Division One of the Championship and a one-day pot - their first since 1992 and the days of Allan Lamb, David Capel and Rob Bailey.
Another yo-yo back up to Division One of the Championship and a one-day pot - their first since 1992 and the days of Allan Lamb, David Capel and Rob Bailey.
Worst-case scenario
Yet more early-season suffering as the Wantage Road pitches refuse to turn before July and Panesar suffers from second-season syndrome.
Yet more early-season suffering as the Wantage Road pitches refuse to turn before July and Panesar suffers from second-season syndrome.
Young one to watch
Riki Wessels has spent the winter in Durban and reported for preseason training having bulked up. His batting is attractive but the club will hope his South African trip has sharpened his keeping.
Riki Wessels has spent the winter in Durban and reported for preseason training having bulked up. His batting is attractive but the club will hope his South African trip has sharpened his keeping.
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Key man
Jason Brown. Must take wickets if Panesar is with England.
Jason Brown. Must take wickets if Panesar is with England.
What they say
"We have got the smallest staff and the smallest budget on the circuit," says Kepler Wessels, "and that we compete within those constraints is good for me and satisfying. This season we have a good side, we've made some good signings and we are lucky we have some younger players coming through."
"We have got the smallest staff and the smallest budget on the circuit," says Kepler Wessels, "and that we compete within those constraints is good for me and satisfying. This season we have a good side, we've made some good signings and we are lucky we have some younger players coming through."
Mark Wagh
Perhaps not the strongest squad but can be an effective unit, especially in oneday cricket. However, they will miss Louw and may find Panesar's appearances limited. Kepler Wessels has brought together disparate elements that now need to form a cohesive team. If that happens, Northants could be a surprise package this season.
Perhaps not the strongest squad but can be an effective unit, especially in oneday cricket. However, they will miss Louw and may find Panesar's appearances limited. Kepler Wessels has brought together disparate elements that now need to form a cohesive team. If that happens, Northants could be a surprise package this season.
Predictions County Championship 4th (D2) Pro40 1st (D1)
Odds 6/1. Click here for full odds and to place your bet.
Odds 6/1. Click here for full odds and to place your bet.