Northamptonshire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that Nirvan Ramesh and Stuart van der Merwe have signed two-year rookie deals with the Club.
The pair had originally signed short-term rookie deals until the end of the season but after putting in impressive performances, they’ve now committed their future to Northamptonshire.
Ramesh, now a graduate of the Northamptonshire Academy, made his List A and first-class debut for the Club this season and the 17-year-old took his maiden first-class wicket last week as he removed Glamorgan’s Colin Ingram.
“I’m thrilled to have signed my first professional contract with Northamptonshire.” Ramesh said.
“A huge thank you to the Head Coach, his team, and my teammates for their belief in me.
“To be the 3rd youngest player in the history of the Club to earn a contract is really special, and I’m so excited for the journey ahead.”
Ramesh performed well for the 2XI this year, taking over 30 wickets and 2XI Head Coach Graeme White was thrilled with the progress that he’s made.
“We’re really delighted for Nirvan, it’s been exciting to see his development and how much he’s come on having been given the opportunity to play first team cricket at such a young age.
“We believe that with his skillset he has a very high ceiling and can go a long way in the game.”
Stuart van der Merwe also impressed this season in the 2XI and those performances led to a List A debut for the Steelbacks against Sussex, with the left-hander hitting a fluent 59.
The 20-year-old had a productive One Day Cup, averaging 41 with the bat but he also showed glimpses of brilliance with the ball and in the field, taking a spectacular diving catch to remove Jaydn Denly off the bowling of Ramesh.
Having trialled around over the last couple of years, van der Merwe was delighted to be given a full-time opportunity.
“I’m super excited to be signing my first contract and joining Northamptonshire.
“Playing professional cricket has been my dream forever, and it feels unreal to finally get this chance.
“I moved to the UK in 2021 to chase this goal, and now being able to do it with a great Club like Northamptonshire is just amazing.”
Speaking on van der Merwe, White praised the 20-year-old’s work ethic:
“He works exceptionally hard, he’s gone away and improved his game, so we’re all delighted for him.
“He reminds me of Justin Broad; he has that same mindset and mentality to constantly improve.”
“He brings a bit of everything to the park and has looked at home in the first team so we’re all excited to see how he progresses in first team cricket.”
Both players will be stay with Northamptonshire until at least the end of the 2027 season.