Sam Whiteman signs season-long deal with Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire have announced the signing of Western Australia opening batter Sam Whiteman on an a season-long deal for the 2023 summer.

Whiteman, who was player of the final in WA's 16th Sheffield Shield title in the 2021-22 season and is their current acting captain, will be available for the County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup. Though he possesses a UK passport having been born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, he will be registered as an overseas signing.

The 30-year-old has 4,652 first-class runs at an average of 37.90, with 10 centuries. He is currently Western Australia's second top scorer in the ongoing campaign, which they lead, with 390 at 43.33, and scored a career-best 193 against South Australia in November.

As a white-ball cricketer, Whiteman's returns are comparatively weak - averages of 23.51 and 17.55 in List A and T20, respectively - though he was part of a successful Perth Scorchers outfit in the Big Bash League, and is now representing Sydney Thunder in the ongoing season. He has not yet been capped by Australia, having represented the country at "A" team and Under-19 level. This will be the left-hander's first taste of professional cricket in the English system.

Speaking on his deal with the Division One county, Whiteman said: "I'm really excited to have signed with Northamptonshire for the 2023 season. It's always been an ambition of mine to play first-class cricket in the UK so to get that opportunity for a large chunk of the campaign is really pleasing. I'm looking forward to joining up with my new teammates in April."

Head coach John Sadler was delighted with Whiteman's signing, as Northants look to build on their sixth-place in the County Championship and second-from-bottom finish in Group B of the Royal London Cup last year.

"Sam comes very highly recommended and is someone we've watched closely in recent times." Sadler said speaking to the club website. "I'm very confident that not only will he score plenty of runs, he'll add value to us as a group in many ways both on and off the field."

Northamptonshire's new Championship captain Luke Procter was also excited for what Whiteman could bring: "I'm really looking forward to having Sam with us this season.

"He's a quality bat but he's also got that leadership experience with WA, they're flying in the Shield so far so I'm sure he'll bring a lot value on and off the field too."