Captain Adam aims to keep his Steelbacks on right track

FROM the great highs of 2019, Northamptonshire have been brought back down to earth this year.

- Bradley West

A topsy-turvy campaign that started poorly eventually blossomed into promotion, meaning 2020 was set to be the first time in six years that Adam Rossington’s side would taste County Championship Division One action.

But, the Coronavirus-enforced suspension of sport and subsequent scrapping of the Championship meant that wait would have to go on that bit longer.

And now this year’s redball competition, the Bob Willis Trophy, has been a tricky ride for Northants.

You could be forgiven, then, for thinking it is all doom and gloom at Wantage Road but there are bigger plans at play, for 2020 is more than just a waiting game according to captain Rossington – it is a chance to cultivate the club’s young stars for when Division One does arrive.

“We wanted to use this year as an opportunity for the younger lads to show what they can do,” he said.

“They’ve not had them opportunities before, so it’s seeing what they can do in the first-team environment against some good teams.

“Hopefully a couple of these young lads take the opportunity and are in the first team next year.

“I’m excited with what I’m seeing from them. We’ve got some very promising youngsters, especially with the bat. It’s been really exciting to see Brandon Glover play a red-ball game especially. We know what he can do with a white ball from his time with the Netherlands but seeing him with the red ball over the past few weeks has been great.