Sales to miss season opener

David Sales has been a reliable source of runs for Northants for several years, but he will miss the game against Leicestershire due to a knee injury

Northamptonshire will be without star batsman David Sales as they begin their LV= County Championship Division Two campaign with a trip to Grace Road to take on Leicestershire.

Sales underwent surgery on his left knee last month and head coach David Capel admits his absence is a blow.

“For 10 years David has been one of our top players in terms of volume of runs scored,” Capel told ecb.co.uk.

“He’s obviously a big player in championship cricket so naturally we would like to have him in our team, but unfortunately he’s not available so we’ve got to cope with that.”

Sales has said he is hopeful of featuring in the club’s second championship game against Kent, but Capel is remaining cautious.

“I’m not going to set a date on his return,” he added. “He’ll be playing when he’s fit to play.”

Northants will also be without Niall O'Brien, who was named the club's player of the year in 2008.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is currently on duty with Ireland as they look to qualify for the next World Cup.

However, Lee Daggett could make his first-class debut following his winter arrival from Warwickshire and youngsters Ben Howgego and David Willey are also set to be handed opportunities to impress.

“Ben Howgego is only with us for a couple of games before he goes back to University,” Capel said.

“He’s capable of playing long innings as an opener. He’s done it for the second XI so hopefully he can do it for the first team.

David Willey has improved all aspects of his game over the winter. He went away to Perth and he’s come back stronger and fitter so I think it’s the right time to give him a debut and see how he goes.”

New Zealand seamer Iain O'Brien will have to wait for his Leicestershire debut after failing to secure a visa ahead of the game © Getty Images

Leicestershire have seen their bowling resources weakened ahead of the game, with Iain O’Brien and Nadeem Malik both ruled out.

New Zealand seamer O’Brien is still awaiting a visa to get into the country, while Malik suffered a groin injury in training on Tuesday morning.

Senior coach Tim Boon said: “These things do happen and come to test us at the last minute but often we find opportunities do arise from them.”

In the absence of O’Brien and Malik, Wayne White could make his debut for the club. He will battle for a place with Sam Cliff and Harry Gurney.

Tom New and Matthew Boyce will open the batting for the Grace Road outfit, with HD Ackerman and Boeta Dippenaar both included in a strong middle order.