Northants target Surrey's Spriegel

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Northamptonshire have emerged as front-runners to sign Surrey’s out-of-contract batsman and off-spinner Matthew Spriegel.

The 25-year-old former Loughborough University student is out of contract with Surrey at the end of the season and is understood to be considering a move away from The Oval in pursuit of more regular first team cricket.

Hampshire are also believed to be keen on landing Spriegel but Surrey sources indicate that Wantage Road is the most likely destination for the former Whitgift School pupil.

Spriegel made his first-class debut for Loughborough against Somerset in 2007 but has been used more in one-day and Twenty20 cricket by Surrey.

The left-hander has three first-class centuries to his name  - the first of them in the final match of the 2009 season against Glamorgan - in 35 first-class matches, the last of which came against Durham at Chester-le-Street last month.

Northamptonshire are seeking to strengthen their squad having already released two batsmen, the experienced Rob White and the relatively untried Ben Howgego.

Northamptonshire are also considering their overseas options for next season after former Sri Lanka left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas took only six County Championship wickets in as many matches in a wretched injury-prone season.

Vaas returned home last month because of a persistent back injury and, having scored just 19 Championship runs in his third season with the county, he will not be returning for a fourth.



Date: 03/09/2012 06:00:00 by Paul Bolton
In: Surrey | Northamptonshire |