Luke Procter confirmed as Northants red ball skipper with Nathan McSweeney handed supporting role
Luke Procter will continue as Northamptonshire captain for the upcoming County Championship season.
It will be a fourth season in charge for the 37-year-old, but he will have a new vice-captain in Australian import Nathan McSweeney, who captains South Australia in the Sheffield Shield and also the 50-over competition Down Under.
Former Lancashire all-rounder Procter, who first took the red ball reins at Northants ahead of the 2023 campaign, is delighted to be able to continue in the role.
“It is always a privilege to lead this team in the County Championship," said Procter.
"We have a great squad who can push on this year and I'm ready to play a part in making sure that happens.”
Head coach Darren Lehmann has kept Procter on as skipper despite the captaincy record of McSweeney, who led South Australia to the Sheffield Shield and One Day Cup titles last season.
But the Australian expects his countryman to be a big support in his vice-captaincy role, which he takes on from wicket-keeper Lewis McManus.
McSweeney, who turns 27 in March, has signed an all-format deal with Northants for the summer of 2026.
“Nathan possesses clear leadership qualities with plenty of experience in captaincy and leadership in Australia," said Lehmann, who is due back in the UK in February.
“We see him as someone who can offer great support to Proccy (Luke Procter), who does a brilliant job leading the team in red ball cricket.”
Northants are due to start their Rothesay County Championship Division Two campaign on Friday, April 3, when they host Lancashire at the County Ground.