Lehmann offers 'fresh start' for Northants - Keogh

Northamptonshire all-rounder Rob Keogh believes Darren Lehmann is the man to get the best out of their squad in this season's County Championship.

They finished fourth in Division Two last season after winning two and drawing nine of their 14 games, 56 points adrift of second-placed Yorkshire.

But they hope to mount a stronger promotion challenge in 2025.

Former Australia head coach Lehmann was appointed over the winter and has already set out his plans to establish a more entertaining brand of cricket from the team.

"It's a fresh start for me, a fresh start for everyone," Keogh, 33, told BBC Radio Northampton.

"He's not massively technical, but tactically he's brilliant. He wants us to be more savvy with the tactical side, how we play our cricket.

"(He talks about) working with what you've got, you're all good enough players, you're here for a reason, so let's work with that.

"It's about how to get the best out of me and how to get the best out of other players and in the short space (of time) of knowing him, it certainly feels like he's got that going already."

Emilio Gay and Jack White have moved on from last year's squad, but Lehmann has used his Australian contracts to recruit paceman Liam Guthrie, who also holds a UK passport, and Harry Conway will also join the squad for the four games in May.

Keogh has scored almost 6,500 first-class runs and taken 165 wickets since his debut in 2012.

He has spoken of mental health issues which affected him last season, but says he is looking forward to the new campaign, which begins on Friday with a home game against Kent, who were relegated from Division One in 2024.

"Boof [Lehmann] coming in has given me that refresh where I can completely start again, try and enjoy my cricket again," Keogh added.

"Credit to Boof, he's been fantastic with me since I've got to know him, he's made me feel like I'm excited for cricket again.

"I am looking forward to getting going, I am looking forward to trying to lead a young group of lads and help them along their journeys as well."

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