Ripley excited as new signing Glover finally gets into the action at the County Ground

The Netherlands international was signed on a three-year deal in the winter, and arrived in the UK for pre-season in March.

But the South African-born pace bowler was carrying an injury and was unable to fully take part in sessions on arrival, and then the coronavirus pandemic then called a halt to everything.

Glover, who lives in a house overlooking the County Ground, has finally been able to get out on the playing surface in the past couple of weeks.

He has been put through his bowling paces by Chris Liddle, who also coaches him for the Dutch national side, and Ripley has been impressed with what he has seen from the 23-year-old.

“It has been great to see Brandon in action, and he has looked good,” said the Northants head coach.

“When we went to Singapore in pre-season he was in rehab, so it has been frustrating for him.

“But he is fully fit now and desperate to get the chance to show what he can do.”

Glover is on course to finally wear the County colours next month when the delayed 2020 season clicks into gear.

Northants will start with four first-class matches in the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy, before getting stuck into the Vitality T20 Blast at the end of the month and then into September.

Glover is of course not the only Northants player who has been frustratedly kicking his heels on the sidelines throughout the pandemic, but he does know he has two more years on his contract to come.

There are several players who are in the final year of their deals at Wantage Road, and Ripley is keen to see how they perform when the campaign begins.

Batsman Rob Newton has already been told he can leave the club at the end of the season, and although Ripley hinted all the others in the same boat may well be kept on, he added there are no guarantees.

And he wants to see them prove their worth when given the chance next month.

“There is Jack White, who finally won himself a contract with us and then the pandemic struck to scupper that,” said the County boss.

“So we really want to have a look at him and see what he can do.

“His contract is up, and so is Blessing’s (Muzarabani), and then there are a few batsmen in a similar position, such as Ben Curran and Charlie Thurston.

“They are going to be really keen to show what they can do, and it means the matches we play have that extra edge with players desperate to do well.

“There are a batch of players out of contract, and although the likelihood is they may well be offered new deals, there is no guarantee of that.

“The club is going to have to deal with the financial hit that has come with the Covid-19 pandemic, and nothing is certain.”

As well as those whose contracts are nearing an end, Ripley is also looking forward to seeing a couple of the club’s exciting young batting talents let loose on opposition bowlers.

“Emilo Gay is another batsman I am keen to have a real look at,” said the head coach.

“Although he made his debut at Gloucestershire last season, he didn’t have a hit.

“Then there is Ricardo Vasconcelos who has come back from his ankle injury, so there is a lot to look forward to.”

The County are set to find out the fixture list for the 2020 season later this week.