Northamptonshire urged to bounce back from Lancashire defeat when they host Sussex

After two very solid innings against Middlesex and Glamorgan to begin the new campaign, Northants failed twice in a heavy defeat at Lancashire

Northamptonshire head coach David Ripley has called on his side to rediscover their early-season form with the bat as they welcome Sussex to Wantage Road in the Specsavers County Championship.

After two very solid innings against Middlesex and Glamorgan to begin the new campaign, Northants failed twice in a heavy defeat at Lancashire.

“The good news is that wasn’t the standard we set in the first two games,” said Ripley. “There we batted well and shared some good partnerships and hopefully we can bounce back quickly.

“We talk about preparation and gameplans but batting is essentially about making good decisions to every ball. That’s let us down in the 50-over format and it’s also a theme in the red-ball game too. We have to give ourselves time at the wicket to get in, build partnerships and score 150s.”

Northants have Luke Wood, from Nottinghamshire, and Jamie Overton, from Somerset, on loan for a month. Overton made his debut for the county at Emirates Old Trafford.

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"It’s the first time Jamie has bowled with the red ball this season,” said Ripley. “He’s bowled a lot with the white ball and has been building his overs up. We saw in a couple of his spells the reputation he’s built up - some pace and aggression, away shape and a little reverse swing too. 

“He’s a nice lad and has brought some energy to the group. He and Luke want to come and show they’re good players and that’s what the loan system can provide.”

The two loanees were brought in with bowlers Brett Hutton and Blessing Muzarabani injured.

“Blessing has a stress fracture but it’s not a complicated one,” said Ripley. “We’re hopeful with some rehab that we can get him back for the T20 Blast and then towards the end of the Championship season if required.”

Jack White, who has played Minor Counties Cricket for Cheshire, is also with the squad for the summer but has picked up a neck injury.

“Jack is on one of the quirky short-term contracts we put out,” Ripley said. “We’re investing in him and he’s giving it a go to try and become a professional cricketer. It’s really frustrating that he hasn’t really been able to bowl a ball in anger this summer - he’s limped from one mishap to another. 

“We didn’t envisage him playing too much first-team cricket but are hopeful that he can get some game time by the end of the year and then earn a contract for the following summer. That’s how Ben Sanderson and Richard Gleeson came through so hopefully Jack can get back into the second XI soon.”

Report courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network