Vasconcelos and Sanderson named in County Championship team of the year

Northants pair Ricardo Vasconcelos and Ben Sanderson have both been named in the 2026 Rothesay County Championship Team of the Year.

Cricket fans from across the country were invited to vote for the summer's top players in red ball cricket, with the poll being run on the England & Wales Cricket Board website from October 13.

Richard Vasconcelos scored six first-class centuries in 2026

placeholder image — Richard Vasconcelos scored six first-class centuries in 2026

Voting closed at midday on Saturday (Oct 17), and both Vasconcelos and Sanderson have made the cut after enjoying excellent seasons as the County just missed out on promotion, finishing third in division two.

Vasconcelos scored six centuries as he amassed 1,159 runs across the season at an average of 48.29.

Ben Sanderson claimed 58 division two wickets for Northants

Team-mate Sanderson also excelled, but with the ball, as he claimed 58 first-class wickets at 21.48.

The rest of the team saw three players voted in from Somerset, two from division one champions Warwickshire, two from division two champions Durham and one apiece from Surrey and Hampshire.

Rothesay County Championship Team of the Year: Ricardo Vasconcelos (Northamptonshire); Ben McKinney (Durham); Tom Abell (Somerset); Sam Hain (Warwickshire); Dan Lawrence (Surrey); James Rew (Somerset - wicketkeeper); Craig Overton (Somerset); Matthew Potts (Durham); Ethan Bamber (Warwickshire); Kyle Abbott (Hampshire); Ben Sanderson (Northamptonshire)