Northants Cricket: Smith targeting summer of success at Northants
Cricket News
NEW Northants chief executive David Smith has started work at the County Ground, and outlined his plans for a successful summer both on and off the pitch.
Former Warwickshire opening batsman Smith takes over at the helm from Mark Tagg, and believes he has inherited a club that is in a very healthy state.
Smith has been mightily impressed by the facilities at a County Ground vastly different from the one he played at for Warwickshire in the 1970s and 80s, and he is also confident that in coach David Capel and skipper Andrew Hall, the cricketing side of operations is in safe hands.
Talking to the club website, www.northantscricket.com, Smith said: “I’m old enough to have been able to come here in the 1970s, for a trial as a 15-year-old.
“Being a Geordie, Northants used to recruit heavily from that area at that time. I remember the old County Ground where the Cobblers used to play over at the Abington Avenue end of the ground.
“The improvements are significant, what with the new indoor centre, floodlights and new stands. I would now say that it is one of the best non-Test match grounds in the country. The facilities are exceptional.”
“When we complete the outdoor nets facility, which should be ready for the 2013 season, I believe that will greatly enhance our ability to retain and attract players to the club.”
Smith started work last Tuesday, but has already been busy, starting to plan for the new season and beyond.
He explained: “I’m aware of what the club has been doing and I know it is already well set.”
“I’ve come to a club that finished third in the second division of the championship, who clearly have a strong playing squad – especially in the longer form of the game.
“We will look to improve our T20 cricket as there is obviously a huge commercial impact, in terms of being successful in that competition.
“Whilst in the CB40, we need to remain competitive throughout the season and we would have a great chance of making the semi-finals.
“There is a lot of cricket nowadays and it requires a lot of effort from the team.”
“What we need to do is build on what was done last season, whilst making improvements on the shorter forms of the game.
“That is critical to the finances of the club.”
Smith comes to the County Ground with vast experience in cricket via a range of differing capacities.
When asked what he will be looking to bring to Northants, Smith said: “I’ve been involved in the game for 40 years, which is obviously a long time.
“I played against David Capel when he was an 18-year-old. He never did get me out – I checked on cricketarchive earlier, just in case he tries to throw that one at me!
“I hope I can bring a good understanding of the game to the club. Cricket is very much David’s (Capel) domain, where he has done an excellent job. We have a very good captain here too in Andrew Hall, who has been an exceptional international cricketer.
“So from my perspective, the cricket side is in very good hands.
“Primarily, I want the club to build on the success that it has been having.
“Clearly, there are a lot of things that are right at this club and it’s nice for me to come in to a situation where the club has been well run, for a number of years.
“I also want to help increase the profile of the club, having been a CEO from a cricketing background, coupled with the fact that I served on the ECB cricket committee for three years. It’s something I will push on with.”
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