New signing Kimber believes Northants can emulate Leicestershire title success

The all-rounder will be hoping to make his County debut in the four-day season opener against Lancashire at Wantage Road on Friday, having made the switch from Grace Road over the winter.

Kimber met up with his new team-mates for the first time on the club's pre-season training camp in South Africa, and he has been impressed by what he has seen.

The 29-year-old feels there are 'a lot of similarities' between his new and former clubs, and insists there is no reason why Northants can't be challenging for the title and promotion come the end of September.

Asked if the County can repeat what the Foxes did in 2025, Kimber said: "Yeah, 100 per cent.

"I think there are a lot of similarities from where Leicester were a couple of seasons ago, to where we are now.

"There is no reason why this season we can't go and do exactly what they did."

So what was the secret to Leicestershire's success under South African coach Alfonso Thomas?

"Leicester did amazingly well last year, and from the inside it was great to see," said Kimber.

"They kept things really simple, and they had a pretty easy game plan.

"They were really disciplined and everybody kind of chipped in at different times and they did amazingly well.

"So there is no reason why we can't, as a squad, do that this year.

"It does take a whole group effort, it's not just about one or two individuals, it needs everybody throughout the season to play some kind of a role at some point."

And he added: "It is a really healthy squad here at Northants, and if you look at the best teams they probably do have a big squad.

"The competition for places will make the team better, and although only 11 can play any game, it is going to be a squad effort over the whole season.

"That is from training to playing games as well, so that is only going make everyone better, individually, and as a team."

Kimber, who hails from Scunthorpe, joins Northants having spent six years at Leicestershire, racking up close to 130 first team appearances across all formats.

He is desperate to make an impression with his new club, but admits he won't be setting himself any personal targets, it is all about the team for him.

"I have never been a goal-setter," said Kimber.

"I just try to win games of cricket, and help where I can to contribute to that.

"Whether it is with the bat, in the field, or with the ball, I just try to contribute to a winning team on any given day.

"And that is going to be at the forefront of my mind moving forward, trying to win games of cricket for Northamptonshire."

Friday's clash with Lancashire is the first of six four-day matches to start the campaign for Northants, and Kimber knows it is crucial for him and his new team-mates to build some early momentum.

"If you can get a couple of wins early on in the four-day comp, then that gives the group a lot confidence," he said

"That is moving forward in the red ball stuff, but also going into the Blast.

"If you are coming off the back of good cricket in the Championship, then that will give the group confidence going into the white ball stuff as well.

"A good start in the Championship will go a long way to setting things up for the rest of the season."