Northants confirm Sales as their new captain

David Sales has been announced as Northamptonshire's new captain. Sales, widely expected to take over the reigns, replaced Mike Hussey, who has opted to take a year out to concentrate on earning an Australian call-up.

Sales, who made 210 not out on his Championship debut, became the youngest Englishman to make a first-class triple-century, when he made 303 not out against Essex in 1999.

"I was hoping to be offered the job when it became available, and now I'm looking forward to taking it on. It'll certainly be a challenge." Sales said today. "We've had a couple of good captains recently in Matthew Hayden and Mike Hussey, and I hope I can follow in their footsteps."

Sales added, "Obviously Mike got it right last year with the way he led the guys. We will have a pretty young side this season - but I know we're all very keen to succeed."

Northants have signed the South African batsman Martin van Jaarsveld to fill Hussey's overseas place. He will team up with Andre Nel, who made his debut for the club last summer and is currently playing a major part in South Africa's series win over West Indies.

The squad has been further strengthened by the recruitment of Usman Afzaal, the former England batsman, from Nottinghamshire, and the Welsh seam bowler Steffan Jones from Somerset.