Ricardo Vasconcelos steps down as Northants captain after four months

Ricardo Vasconcelos has stepped down as Northamptonshire captain after four months and only eight matches in the full-time role.

Vasconcelos replaced Adam Rossington as club captain in March, shortly before the start of the 2022 season, after a falling-out between Rossington and John Sadler, Northants' new head coach.

Northants are fifth in Division One of the County Championship after one win, six draws and one loss in their eight games this season but Vasconcelos' form has suffered, averaging 26.53, and he will be replaced by overseas player Will Young in the role for the rest of the Championship season.

"This has been a really tough decision to make." Vasconcelos said. "It's been an honour and a privilege being the captain of this club and one that I am extremely proud of. However, I truly believe that this is the best decision for myself as well as the club moving forward.

"We are in a great place in red-ball cricket and hopefully we can kick on and continue climbing up the table. Now I can fully focus on my batting and scoring big runs again for Northamptonshire."

Vasconcelos signed a new contract earlier this season amid interest from other counties and Sadler said that Northants "full support Ricardo's decision to step back and understand the reasons behind it".

"We're all looking forward to seeing him back at his best with the bat and thank him for the work and effort he put in as a leader," Sadler said.