Crook happy with depth of County’s squad

Steven Crook believes that Northamptonshire have enough depth amongst the playing staff to cover for any possible absences.
Northants all-rounder Steven CrookNorthants all-rounder Steven Crook
Northants all-rounder Steven Crook

The all-rounder, along with David Willey and Muhammad Azharullah, is expected to be included in the auction for the Indian Premier League next month and this is also the case for the club’s overseas signing Jackson Bird.

Should the quartet, or even half of them, get picked up by one of the IPL franchises, it could leave the County with significant holes to fill as they approach their first season in the top flight for a decade.

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But rather than look at any possible problems, Crook prefers to see it in a different light.

He said: “We’ve recruited well over the winter and if some players aren’t here then it gives others the chance to show what they can do.

“Maurice (Chambers) looks a really good signing, Graeme (White) has come back to the club and has a lot to offer and Olly Stone will want to step up.

“I think we’ve got plenty of depth here and it’s a positive thing for us that the squad could be needed.”

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Of course, it could come to pass that none of the County’s number will be missing from the first few weeks of the season and Crook says that anticipation is building nicely.

He added: “There’s a good feel about the club.

“It will be good to see how we go in Division One and we’re in the different position of defending a one-day title.

“We’ve got nothing to lose, especially in the Championship, and it will be our aim to go out there and surprise a few people like we did last year.

“Let the other clubs underestimate us at their peril.”