Ripley admits to tough call on Coetzer

Kyle Coetzer has been dropped for the game against Nottinghamshire

The veteran batsman, who has been out for six weeks with a calf injury, will take his place at number three in the order with Kyle Coetzer standing down.

Northamptonshire’s batting has been a problem are so far this campaign and is desperately in need of bolstering, hence the recall of Sales.

But while head coach David Ripley is glad to have him back in the fold, he said that it is a touch harsh on Coetzer.

“He (Sales) played well at Durham (University) last week and Stephen (Peters) and I think that he is one of our key players and he has been netting for a while,” Ripley commented.

“It’s tough on Kyle who is averaging 25 and hasn;t looked completely out of touch but somebody had to kiss out and unfortunately for him that’s the way it is.

“He took it well like the good professional that he is and he desperately wants to get back playing and there is the Twenty20 later in the week where he will be involved.”

Another change is the inclusion of Maurice Chambers foer the injured Olly Stone who cracked a finger in the defeat by Lancashire a fortnight ago.

Ripley added: “Olly isn;t quite fit and isn;t ready to get back playing although at a puch he could’ve been included.

“We’ll ease him back in especially as we’ve got a lot of cricket coming up.

“Maurice is nice and fresh having missed the Lancashire game, he had a good bowl last week, so it’s justb a straight swap.”