Northamptonshire head coach David Ripley has admitted that he is glad Trent Copeland is getting the rewards his bowling deserves.
The Australian, who signed on a short-term deal in the off-season, took his second five-wicket haul of the game at Canterbury as Kent were condemned to a seven-wicket defeat inside three days.
It was the visitors’ third win on the bounce - they have already enjoyed more victories than during the whole 2012 campaign - and it keeps them on top of the second division standings.
And it was Copeland, adding 5-42 to his 5-71 from the first innings to complete match figures of 10-113, who dominated proceedings, much to Ripley’s delight.
He said: “All along he’s provided undoubted quality and it was a travesty that he was taking his wickets at a quite high cost before this game.
“He’s created pressure for others and the number of overs he bowls has been great for the side and it was good that he finally got something to show for it.”
The only black mark, if it can be described as that given the results, is the lack of form being shown by a few of the top six.
Stephen Peters aside, they have delivered a solitary half-century in the four games - Alex Wakely’s 88 at Bristol last week - but Ripley isn’t worried.
He continued: “It is April in England and if we’re bowling sides out for 200 then you’ve got to expect that our lads will also get nicked off.
“It doesn’t happen that everyone is quickly out of the blocks and I’m sure they’ll start to contribute when we need them to.”