County Championship preview: Northamptonshire

2009 in a nutshell In with a shout until denied promotion by a generous declaration at Derby and an Essex victory on the last day of the season. Like Essex (and Gloucestershire) they won six, but were edged out by a point and were not best pleased with their neighbours. And farewell Monty. LV County Championship Division 2 3rd Pro 40 Division 2 4th Friends Provident Trophy Eliminated at group stage Twenty20 Cup Semi-finalists What they'll be playing in this season LV County Championship Division 2 Clydesdale Bank Pro40 Group B Friends Provident Twenty20 – North Captain Nicky Boje, who took over from David Sales way back in 2008 and who has gone about collecting his runs and wickets ever since. The 37-year-old headed a strong South African presence at the top of the Northampton averages, his 801 runs coming at 40.05. Coach David Capel has had a frustrating winter, Virender Sehwag snatched from under his nose when the Indian board reversed the "no objection" certificate they sanctioned for their opening batsman a few days earlier. Ins and outs In Mal Loye (Lancashire), James Middlebrook (Essex), Vishal Tripathi (Lancashire, on initial three-month deal) Out : Graeme White (Nottinghamshire), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Mark Nelson, Shaun Bailey, Steven Crook, Ryan Cummins, Johan van der Wath, Riki Wessels (all released) Overseas player Zimbabwe's Elton Chigumbura is the only recruit in this department with Capel saying he still hasn't given up hope of bagging at least one more "quality" player before the Twenty20 gets underway. Chigumbura, 24, was 15 when he first played for Zimbabwe as a medium pacer and hard-hitting bat. Key player Andrew Hall had one of those seasons to remember, seemingly getting the Steelbacks to the Twenty20 finals day single-handedly, topping the county batting averages while coming second in the bowling. Ashes factor With Monty Panesar gone to Sussex, it is hard to think of the England selectors thumbing through the home scores from Wantage Road. Probably of more interest in Joburg. Prediction for 2010 Fifth in Division 2 with limited success at Twenty20. Mal Loye returns after a life time with Lancashire and Capel is hoping for a lot from the 37-year-old who started his career with Northants. Ditto another veteran – David Sales, the former captain who didn't play last season.