Bears face Northants in pre-season warm-up game

The two sides will play a red ball friendly at Edgbaston on Tuesday and Wednesday 25-26 March (10.30am start) while a Second XI game will take place simultaneously at the Portland Road ground.

Both grounds will be closed to the public while staff continue essential ground maintenance ahead of the season opener against Sussex on 4 April.

Northamptonshire are now coached by Darren Lehmann – Australia’s two-time Ashes winning Head Coach – who has promised his side will play “high octane, aggressive” cricket under his leadership.

Bears First Team Coach Ian Westwood said it’ll be a good test for his side as they finalise their pre-season preparations.

“The whole squad will play a part across both games,” added Westwood, “and it’ll be a good opportunity to pit ourselves against quality opposition out on the Edgbaston grass just a few days before the season gets underway.

“We’re in a good place, the Abu Dhabi tour has gone well and the lads are raring to go.

“We’ll follow that with an internal warm-up game on Thursday before switching our attention to Sussex the following week.”

Meanwhile, Bears Women will play four 50-over friendlies as Ali Maiden’s side continue their preparations for their competitive debut at Edgbaston on 23 April.

They will take on Durham, The Blaze and Somerset at Edgbaston on 10, 11 and 14 April respectively, before completing their pre-season schedule with a warm-up game against Lancashire Thunder (venue TBC) on 18 April.