McSweeney facing race against time to be in Northampton for County season opener
Overseas signing Nathan McSweeney will be facing a race against time to be in the UK in time for Northants' opening Rothesay County Championship match of the season in just over two weeks' time.
That's because the 27-year-old will be skippering South Australia in a second successive Sheffield Shield Final next week.
The reigning champions drew their final league stage match with Victoria in Melboure on Tuesday, and that result, coupled with Queensland Bulls' defeat to Tasmania Tigers, was enough to ensure SA finished runners-up and reach the final.
They now face a quick rematch against league winners Victoria in the final at the Junction Oval in Melbourne next week, with the five-day match beginning on Thursday (March 26).
If the clash goes the distance, then it won't finish until Monday, March 30, with Northants due to host Lancashire in their red ball opener at the County Ground just a few days later on Friday, April 3.
Last year, McSweeney led South Australia to their first Shield title since 1996, and next week they will be aiming to win the trophy in back-to-back seasons for the first time.
In a rain-affected clash with Victoria, SA were 204 for three in their second innings, having posted 305 all out in their first outing, with Victoria being bowled out for 308 in their only innings.
McSweeney, who has had a below-par campaign with the bat by his high standards, scored 24 and 39 in his two knocks, while also claiming three for 18 in 15.2 overs with his off-spin.
McSweeney, who has three Australia Test caps to his name, has signed a season-long all-format deal with Northants.
Northants are currently in South Africa on a warm-weather training camp, and on Monday played an inter-squad friendly at Groot Drakenstein Cricket Club, which is close to their base in Stellenbosch.