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Northamptonshire bank on unsung heroes to find riches

To term it a cultural revolution might be going a bit far. But for a club who, drawing on the mixed blessing of local benefaction, have found the cash over the years to make a series of high-profile signings, none cheap, Northamptonshire's approach to 1999 looks radically new.

This was the county that, in 10 years, acquired Greg Thomas, Kevin Curran, John Emburey and Devon Malcolm, big names on the open market destined to pass to the highest bidder. To these some would add Dennis Lillee and Curtly Ambrose, cricket directors Mike Procter and Phil Neale and even Neil Foster who, as a specialist coach, was one of the more illustrious backroom boys.

Yet it was in 1995 that the side mounted their one credible championship challenge in over 20 years. That season, not really by design, Allan Lamb found himself as a captain in unequivocal command, endowed with one largely unknown spinner, Anil Kumble, who proceeded to take 105 wickets as his side finished third.

In three subsequent seasons, under two more captains who often seemed only on-field deputies for new manager Emburey, the county finished 16th, 15th and 15th. Emburey's departure last September became inevitable.

The new team at the top for 1999 look altogether more unsung. When Mal Loye eventually resolved his dispute with the club and re-signed last Christmas, his comment, unwittingly pointed it seemed, was: ``I know we'll make progress now with Bob Carter coming back.'' Even confirmed devotees may have struggled to put a face to this latest name.

Carter, a quiet Norfolk-born coach in the traditional mould, appeared only 51 times for Northants. Coach in that 1995 season after Neale had decamped to Edgbaston, Carter was overlooked for Emburey and left for a more appreciative New Zealand.

The new captain will be Matthew Hayden, a Queenslander who has never quite carved a Test career, with wicketkeeper David Ripley his vice-captain.

Behind the scenes, Nick Cook has created a triumphant second XI and former opener Nigel Felton has become a revealing addition to the cricket committee. Felton was once a prime critic of a club where dissent or comment from below has rarely been encouraged.

Loye, Russell Warren, Tony Penberthy and, as opener, either fellow Cornishman David Roberts or Alec Swann will offer Hayden support runs, with deposed captain Curran unlikely to play much in his final season. Graeme Swann, 19, could one day take the off-spinning all-rounder role England have so long craved. And given Michael Davies and Jason Brown as back-up, the future may not be with pace, especially if Penberthy reassumes a full all-rounder's brief, allowing a second spinner to play.

Malcolm and Paul Taylor will take the new ball, with David Follett potentially set to blossom as third seamer. Reserve pace would be offered by Kevin Innes, Scotland World Cup player John Blain and Richard Logan, an England Under-19 player of whom much is hoped. David Sales looks set to contest a remaining batting berth with Rob Bailey, now 35.

Details & First-Class fixtures

Staff: *M L Hayden, R J Bailey, T M B Bailey, J A R Blain, J F Brown, K M Curran, M K Davies, M Dobson, D Follett, K J Innes, D Iniff, R J Logan, M B Loye, D E Malcolm, A L Penberthy, M J Powell, D Ripley, D J Roberts, D J G Sales, A J Swann, G P Swann, J P Taylor, R J Warren.

New players: M Dobson, J W Cook, M L Hayden (Queensland), D Iniff, M J Powell.

Departures: S A J Boswell (to Leics), D J Capel, A M Dobson, R R Montgomerie (to Sussex), F A Rose, J N Snape (to Gloucs), T C Walton.

Beneficiary: K M Curran.

1998 record

Championship:15th: (W4, L5, D8).
AXA Lge: 13th (W6, L7, T1, NR3).
B&H Cup: 1st rd.
NatWest Trophy: 1st rd.

First-class fixtures

April: Tues 13 Warwicks (Edgbaston). Wed 21 Sussex (Hove). Wed 28 Surrey (Northampton).

May: Sun 9 Cambridge Univ (Fenner's). Fri 14 Lancashire (Old Trafford). 19 Derbyshire (Derby).

June: Wed 2 Notts (Northampton). Wed 9 Durham (Northampton). Wed 30 Worcs (Northampton).

July: Fri 9 Middlesex (Lord's). Thu 15 Sri Lanka A (Northampton). Tue 20 Yorkshire (Scarborough). 30 Essex (Northampton).

August: Wed 4 Somerset (Northampton). Tue 17 Gloucs (Northampton). Tue 24 Kent (Canterbury).

Sept: Wed 1 Hampshire (Northampton). Wed 8 Leics (Northampton). Wed 15 Glamorgan (Cardiff).