Fast bowler Weatherall returns for Northants at Kent after year out through injury

The 21-year-old has been included in the squad for the trip to the south east, coming in for Gus Miller in what is the only change to the 13 named for last weekend's opening draw with Lancashire.

And head coach Darren Lehmann has confirmed that Weatherall will be involved, having not played any competitive cricket since suffering a stress fracture in his back at Old Trafford on April 14, last year.

Asked if Weatherall will be involved at Canterbury, Lehmann told nccc.co.uk: "Raphy will play.

"We just weren't 100 per cent with him last week, but we are 100 per cent with him now, he bowled beautifully (in the nets) on Wednesday, so no problems there."

That confirmation means there will be at least one change to the team that took on the Red Rose, with left-arm seamer Liam Guthrie also vying for selection.

That could be something of a headache for Lehmann, who is calling on his top order batters to dig a little deeper after they were reduced to 41 for five in the first innings against Lancashire, and 52 for six in the second.

"The game against Lancashire was great and it was a great advertisement for county cricket, going down to the last session on the last day," said Lehmann.

"That pitch we played on is almost a Test pitch, that's how good it was. There was something in it for the bowlers, but if you batted well you could make runs.

"So the challenge for our blokes at the top of the order is to get through the new ball down at Kent, and then make big runs.

"The ball does a bit when it is new, but then it gets a little soft, and you have to work really hard in that first session when you are batting.

"You need to play within your limitations, but also try to be positive when you can, and then once you get in you go big.

"We had seven guys in the first innings against Lancashire get to 20-plus and nobody really went on with it apart from Lewis McManus, and then it the second innings it was all about George Bartlett.

"So once you get in you just have to keep going."

Kent, who began their campaign with a draw at Durham last weekend, were the only side to finish below Northants in the Championship last season, but Lehmann is expecting a tough battle.

"They played well against us last season and beat us at home in the first game of the year," said the Australian.

"They are a quality side, and division two and division one is so tough because the quality in all the counties is there to see.

"We have to go there, play as well as we possibly can, play the conditions and anjoy playing some positive cricket.

"Canterbury is a great part of the world to play, and I am looking forward to it."

Kent coach Adam Hollioake has named a 14-man squad to take on Northants, including England opener Zak Crawley.

The Spitfires will be led by skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond and Keith Dudgeon is set to make his home debut after his overseas stint in 2025 was cut short after just one appearance - which came against Northants when he took eight for 69 in his side's win at the County Ground.

Northants squad v Kent: Luke Procter (c), George Bartlett, Harry Conway, Liam Guthrie, Calvin Harrison, Louis Kimber, Lewis McManus, Nathan McSweeney, James Sales, Ben Sanderson, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Raphy Weatherall, Saif Zaib

Kent squad v Northants: Daniel Bell-Drummond (c), Chris Benjamin, Mikey Cohen, Ben Compton, Zak Crawley, Jaydn Denly, Keith Dudgeon, Joey Evison, Matt Milnes, Tawanda Muyeye, Sam Northeast, Ekansh Singh, Jas Singh, Glenton Stuurman