Lehmann believes Vasconcelos and Harrison have big roles to play for Northants this season
Things may well have not gone to plan for them in the season opener against Lancashire, but Northants head coach insists Ricardo Vasconcelos and Calvin Harrison are going to have big parts to play with the bat this season.
Opener Vasconcelos made 25 in the first innings before lasting just four balls in his second knock, being dismissed both times by England legend Jimmy Anderson, while Harrison managed to survive a total of 10 balls across both innings, suffering a second-ball duck on day four.
Harrison fared better with the ball, taking five for 128 with his leg spin in the four-day draw, but it is also with the bat that Lehmann is hoping he can shine this summer, with the intention to see him continue to bat at three.
“Calvin is going to be our main spinner and bat at three," said Lehmann.
“He has to understand, especially when you are batting at three, is what’s a go-to and what not to go to, and he has been working on that.
“Calvin has all the attributes, he has long levers, a good defence, attacks well, plays fast bowling well, plays spin well, so he has all the game.
“It is now about implementing that in-game.”
Vasconcelos has endured a difficult couple of seasons at the top of the order, but he shone on the club's pre-season training camp and Lehmann believes he is a player who can regain the sparkling form he showed when he first joined the club in 2018.
“Vasco did really well in South Africa,” said Lehmann. “He has made some little technical changes on things that had crept into his game.
“As a left-hander, now he is opening himself up and has more opportunities to score, and the great thing about him is he plays fast bowling really well.
“We expect him to have a really good year and bounce back.
“Vasco has been disappointed with his own output, so I was really pleased with the shape he has come back in, the effort he has put in, and he is looking good.
“Once he gets going he is hard to stop.”
Another player that Lehmann has high hopes for in 2026 is all-rounder Justin Broad.
The 25-year-old missed the clash with Lancashire due to a back injury, but he is expected to be back playing soon and the head coach wants him to build on a strong 2025.
“Justin is one we want to develop into a leader, but to also kick on," said Lehmann. “He has to make more runs against the Dukes ball, for example, and get more wickets for us.
“All of our young guys, we want them to keep striving to be better and we want them to push for England Lions selection and things like that.
“But you can only do that by power of performance, so if Justin stays first and strong and bowls well, then the world is his oyster, because we know he can bat.”