Vasconcelos reveals Northants were unsure on batting first ahead of run-laden day in Kent
Ricardo Vasconcelos revealed that Northants were unsure whether or not to bar first after winning the toss against Kent - but was delighted they did as the County piled up a stunning 409 for one at Canterbury.
Vasconcelos, fellow opener Luke Procter and number three Calvin Harrison all hit centuries on day one of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two encounter on what was a near perfect day for Darren Lehmann's side.
But Vasconcelos admitted that the team was unsure about what to do if they won the toss, with a vote being held in the visiting dressing room.
With the sun out, that vote went the way of batting first, and what a good choice that turned out to be, with Vasconcelos and Procter putting on 224 for the first wicket – a Northants record against Kent.
“We weren't actually sure what to do first," said Vasconcelos.
"It’s the first time we've ever put it to a vote and obviously we decided on batting. I don't think we could have gone any better.
“Obviously I could have still been batting with Luke, and we would have been 400 for none, but, yeah, I don't think we could have asked for a better day.
“I think a couple times we've come here and it’s spun on the last day as well, so we've gone with that, knowing what we've got Calvin and Saif (Zaib).
“But I think the deciding factor was really the overheads in the morning. I think once we saw the sun was out, that's what kind of tipped us in favour of batting."
Vasconcelos set the tone for the day as he got off the mark with a six off the final ball of the first over, and he went on to make 127 from 170 balls, hitting 19 fours and two sixes.
Skipper Procter played the anchor role and ended the day on 131 not out from 233 balls (17 fours), with number three Harrison hitting 124 not out from 148 balls, including 18 fours and three sixes.
It was only the second time that the top three have all made centuries in the same innings for Northants, with the last time it happening coming in 2002 at the County Ground when Mike Hussey, Mal Loye and Russell Warren all made three figures.
The innings has set Northants up brilliantly for the rest of the game, with Vasconcelos delighted with his own performance that he feels is reward for his efforts over the close season.
“I've done quite a lot of work in the winter, changing a few things that needed changing," said the left-hander.
"Obviously, the last couple of years haven't been what they should be, but I feel in a good place."