McSweeney relishing Lehmann link-up and Anderson test

Northamptonshire’s headline overseas signing for 2026, Australia batter Nathan McSweeney, has revealed that the chance to work again with head coach Darren Lehmann was the decisive factor in swapping Adelaide for Wantage Road.

The 27-year-old, who captained South Australia to last week’s Sheffield Shield title and played three Tests for Australia in 2024, will make his county debut against Lancashire at the County Ground on Friday and is available for all formats throughout the summer.

McSweeney first linked up with Lehmann at Brisbane Heat, where the former Australia all-rounder mentored him for three Big Bash League campaigns. “I probably wouldn’t be here without Darren as coach,” McSweeney told BBC Radio Northampton. “Great relationship with him and his son, Jake, who I play with in South Australia. He’s played so much cricket over his journey… he keeps reminding us that he averaged 70 for Yorkshire.”

The right-hander is eager to sample English conditions, citing the Dukes ball and the success of previous Australian county imports as motivation. “Hopefully I can play well for Northants and take a few lessons and learnings from county cricket back to Australia,” he said.

Should Northants elect to bat first, McSweeney’s introduction to the County Championship could come against Lancashire’s 43-year-old seam legend James Anderson, now in his first season as county captain. “Watching Jimmy play on TV for so many years, it’s going to be a great experience… my work will be cut out for me, no doubt,” McSweeney admitted.

Despite only arriving from Australia after Monday’s Shield final, the batter insists fatigue will not be an issue. “The plan was always to play this first game, so I had a good sleep last night. I’ll be ready to go.”

Northamptonshire supporters will hope the Lehmann-McSweeney reunion can spark an immediate upturn in fortunes as the 2026 County Championship ushers in what administrators are billing as a clean slate for the domestic game.