It has long ben a bone of contention in local cricketing circles that the County have little or no interst in the club game that exists on their doorstep.
But that, according to Second XI coach Phil Rowe, is something that is a thing of the past.
This weekend, no fewer than five contracted players will be plying their trade in the NCL Premier Division, a number that could be even higher on certain weekends.
Olly Stone (Wollaston), Rob Keogh (ONs), Luke Evans (Horton House), Sam Sweeney (Brixworth) and Christian Davis (Wellingborough) are all due to be in action on the league’s opening day.
And Rowe believes the club game has an important role to play, saying: “We’ve given it a lot of thought and it’s an important part of Northants Cricket overall.
“We want the league to be as strong as possible and to forge good relationships with the clubs and hopefully there is a benefit for everyone concerned.”
A number of players last season were opposed to playing in the NCL due to the fact that more money was available elsewhere – Niall O’Brien played down in Kent for example – but Rowe thinks that a sensible compromise has been agreed by all parties.
He continued: “Some of the lads have talked about going to play where they can pick up more money but we’ve spoken to the clubs about it.
“The players get a reasonable sum for playing so it’s more attractive to them and they don’t look elsewhere.
“We want them to be doing the right things so that everybody gets something out of the relationship.”
NCL Fixtures
Saturday, April 27
Premier Division (start midday): Finedon Dolben v Oundle, Horton House v Wellingborough Town, Northampton Saints v Burton Latimer, Old Northamptonians v Brixworth, Peterborough v Rushton, Stony Stratford v Wollaston
Division One: Geddington v Old Wellingburians , Irthlingborough Town v Desborough, Kettering v Weekley and Warkton, Loddington v Old Northamptonians IIs, Rushden v Finedon Dolben IIs, Wellingborough Indians v Peterborough IIs
Division Two: Earls Barton v Stony Stratford IIs, East Haddon v Long Buckby, Isham v Rushden IIs, Overstone Park v Brigstock, Rothwell v Northampton Saints IIs, Thrapston v Irchester
Division Three: Great Oakley v Heyford, Podington v Old, Raunds v S&L Corby, St Crispins Ryelands v Great Houghton, Wellingborough Town IIs v Horton House IIs, Wollaston IIs v West Haddon
Division Four: Bowden v Geddington IIs, Burton Latimer IIs v Old Grammarians, Kempston v Kibworth IIIs, Northampton Saints IIIs v Old Northamptonians IIIs, Rushton IIs v Grendon and Prims, Stoke Bruerne v Weldon
Division Five: Badby v Kettering IIs, Brixworth IIs v Overstone Park IIs, Cogenhoe v Wellingborough Indians IIs, Oundle IIs v Isham IIs, Stony Stratford IIIs v Irthlingborough Town IIs, Wicken v St Crispins Ryelands IIs
Division Seven: Weekley & Warkton IIs v Finedon Dolben IIIs
Division Eight: Desborough IIs v Obelisk, Long Buckby IIs v Irchester IIs
Division Nine: Brigstock IIs v Little Harrowden, S&L Corby IIs v Great Houghton IIs, St Michael’s v Old Grammarians IIs
Division 10: Old IIs v St Crispins Ryelands IIIs
Division 11: Old Wellingburians IIs v Wollaston IIIs
Division 12: Grendon & Prims IIs v Weekley and Warkton IIIs, Weldon IIs v Medbourne
Division 13: Horton House IVs v Bugbrooke IIs
Division 14: Isham Zingari v Barton Seagrave IIs, Rushden & Dean Academy v Barby IIIs