Northants coach Ripley delighted with loan man White’s contribution

That is exactly what loan signing Graeme White accomplished in the Friends Life t20 on Friday evening as the left-arm spinner took 4-14 in the 41-run thrashing of Gloucestershire.

And head coach David Ripley admiited that he was pleased with how the new boy, who arrived from parent club Nottinghamshire initially for the Championship games with Leicestershire and Lancashire, has settled into his work.

He said: “It was a good start for him and I’m happy with what’s he’s done since arriving.

“It didn’t really go to plan for him at Old Trafford where he didn’t really contribute, but he showed what he could do the other night and hopefully he’ll continue that this weekend.”

Twenty20 cricket wasn’t originally included as part of the loan arrangement, but Ripley’s ongoing dialogue with his oppositie number at Trent Bridge, Mick Newell, brought about a change of tack, something that the County would like to continue with.

“At the moment it’s still just a one-month deal,” Ripley added.

“We’ve been talking to Notts all the time and I’d like to thank them for being accommodating with regards to Graeme.

“There’s the opportunity to go forward in two-week blocks, but we’ll get to the end of the Somerset game and then there could be some more talking to be done.”

The Steelbacks are back in Friends Life t20 action on Friday when they host Warwickshire Bears, before a trip to Taunton to take on Somerset on Sunday.