Ground: County Ground, Northampton
Captain: Luke Procter (CC), TBC (ODC), David Willey (T20)
2023 results: CC1 10/10; ODC: 6/9 Group B; T20: 6/9 North Group
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Northants could not repeat the previous summer’s great escape despite another late flurry, finishing bottom of Division One. Collecting just four batting points from their first 12 matches said much about the source of their troubles, with coach John Sadler talking about the batters being “drawn into a bit of Bazball” in early season. The top-order is increasingly reliant on Rob Keogh [below], although Northants welcome back two Indian stars who played dazzling cameos in 2023: Karun Nair until June and Prithvi Shaw thereafter. Nair impressed with 150 against Surrey during a three-match spell at the end of the season, while the 24-year-old Shaw made scores of 244 and 125 not out in the One-Day Cup. The seam attack, bolstered by the arrival of 6ft 7in George Scrimshaw, will always pose a threat as long as they can keep Ben Sanderson fit. Late bloomer Jack White took 50 wickets last season. Australian quick Chris Tremain has re-signed for the first four matches, but a lead spinner is badly needed. Josh Cobb left the club after disappointing whiteball campaigns, with David Willey leading in the short formats.
THE VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX
Northamptonshire managed to defy the odds in 2022 by retaining their place in the Championship’s top division for a second season - the first time the county had achieved that, at the fourth attempt - but little went right for them in 2023 until it was too late to avoid the drop. Their heartening (and, simultaneously, frustrating) finish to the season, forcing eventual champions Surrey to follow-on at The Oval and thrashing Essex at Wantage Road, should send the squad into 2024 with optimism that an immediate return to Division One is possible. Richly-talented opener Emilio Gay, who missed the start of the 2023 campaign following a knee operation, will look to start strongly this year and score the weight of runs he is capable of - and with the ball it is hard to look beyond the two outstanding seamers from last season, Jack White and Ben Sanderson.
TWO TO LOOK OUT FOR
Enjoying a productive summer in your testimonial year is always good for business - and Rob Keogh, a one-club man who made his firstclass debut for Northamptonshire 12 years ago, will have every incentive to ‘go big’ with bat and ball. His remarkable century against Essex last September, a cathartic innings following the collective disappointments of the seas
