Procter qualities praised by Northants coach

Head coach Darren Lehmann has hailed Northamptonshire captain Luke Procter as a skilled tactician and "class player" following his career-best first-class score.

Procter hit an unbeaten 261 in the County Championship draw with Kent, one of four Northants batters to reach three figures in their innings - a club record.

It was not enough, however, to secure their first win of the season as the home side held out for a draw on the final day following rain interruptions.

Lehmann said of Procter: "I'm pleased for him because he works really hard, he's a stalwart of our club and I love what he brings to the table as a captain.

"He has an infectious nature, he brings energy - scores 260 and then chases every ball to the boundary to stop every run for his bowlers.

"That's what we want from all our players and he leads from the front in that regard."

Procter joined Northants from Lancashire in 2022 and was appointed red-ball skipper three years ago.

The Australian told BBC Radio Northampton that his captaincy in the game was "brilliant" and he had "done everything possible to get the result" they wanted.

And he was delighted to see the all-rounder make such a big score after last year suggesting he move up from number three to open the batting.

"When I first took over I said 'I think you're more of an opener' and he said 'I'll bat wherever you want' and that's the sort of guy he is.

"He's a class player and he's a very important player for us."

Northamptonshire, who finished next to bottom of Division Two in 2025, start a new game against Middlesex at Wantage Road on Friday.