County to embark on ‘brutal’ period of the season

Stephen Peters (right) takes his Northamptonshire side to Trent Bridge today

Northamptonshire should be prepared for a ‘brutal’ spell of cricket.

That is according to head coach David Ripley as he prepares his side for an intense few weeks.

They start their fourth LV= County Championship game of the season against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge this morning but know there is much more to come in a short space of time.

Including the tour match against Sri Lanka the County have about 36 days of cricket to play in the next month and a bit.

“I think the players must get fed up with us talking about it, Ripley said.

“But the programme we have got coming up is pretty brutal.

“Over the next few weeks we have got six Championship games surrounded by eight T20s.

“While the T20 doesn’t sound like it will tax you, we all know it does.

“We will hopefully have some players back fit and supplement the ranks with an overseas player.

“We have to utilise the squad but also be aware of what we are asking of them.”

The Championship game at Trent Bridge is due to get under way at 11am this morning.