Northants cancel contracts of overseas stars Kieron Pollard and Faheem Ashraf

Kieron Pollard has had his Northants Steelbacks contract cancelled

The pair were due to play for the County at stages of the campaign in 2020, but the season is currently on suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pakistan all-rounder Ashraf was due to spend the first half of the season at the County Ground, playing four-day and T20 cricket, while West Indies white ball skipper Pollard was scheduled to feature for the Steelbacks in eight rounds of the Vitality T20 Blast in June and July.

But with the professional game on hold until at least July 1, and with no definite date for a return at any time, the contracts of both players have been cancelled after a mutual agreement between the club, players and their management.

“It’s obviously really disappointing as they’re superb players and there was a real buzz around them joining the squad.” said head coach David Ripley.

“I’d really like to thank the players and their management for their understanding and co-operation.”

Chief Executive Ray Payne is hopeful the County supporters will still have the opportunity to see the pair in Northants shirts in the future.

“There are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes,” said Payne. “We don’t have any schedule yet for next season, so those players don’t know where they’re going to be.

"But once we’ve got a schedule, we’ll definitely be talking to them about coming back.”

In the press release from the County, there were no details on the contract of Ireland international Paul Stirling, who has signed a deal to play in the latter stages of the T20 competition when Pollard was unavailable.