Skipper Rossington impressed by squad strength at Northants

The County begin their LV= County Championship Group 3 campaign on April 8 when they host Kent.

They open the campaign with eight four-day games on the bounce before the white ball season starts, and red-ball skipper Rossington is excited by the players he has at his disposal.

The only new winter signing is overseas all-rounder Wayne Parnell, but there were also two key players signed at the back end of last summer in Simon Kerrigan and Tom Taylor.

On top of that, the likes of Jack White, Charlie Thurston, Emilio Gay and Ben Curran impressed when given an opportunity in the Bob Willis Trophy last summer, and Rossington is impressed, saying: “It is a strong squad, and there have been some good additions.

“Simon Kerrigan will be a massive one for us with that spin bowling threat, and he has been bowling lovely all winter.

"Then, by us having a look at some of the younger lads last year, they put their hands up and did well and they took their opportunities.

“With those young lads taking their chances last year it is putting a lot of pressure on some of the lads who have been about for a while.”

And he added: “We are going to need the squad strength, especially in the bowling department. Wayne Parnell is a great addition as he is a bit different being a left-armer which is not something we have had in the squad.

“Tommy (Taylor) is another all-rounder, and they are gold dust in balancing your team, so the squad is in a good spot, and fingers crossed we are lucky with injuries and they all stay fit.

“The young lads did well last year and took their opportunities and now we have added experience.

“Wayne is international class, Simon (Kerrigan) has played a lot of international cricket. and Tom is a brilliant all-rounder”

Northants resume their pre-season campaign on Monday when they stage an intra-squad match behind closed doors at the County Ground.

A County A team will take on a B team, with the whole squad getting a run-out after the opening friendly against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

They then host Leicestershire in a final two-day workout on April 4 and 5 ahead of that first Championship clash with Kent.