The impact that Lewis McManus had in his first season at Wantage Road was made clear when coach John Sadler named the wicketkeeper as Northamptonshire’s red-ball vice-captain.

Initially joining the county on a short-term loan from Hampshire following Adam Rossington’s departure to Essex prior to the start of the 2022 campaign, McManus was dependable behind the stumps and provided vital lower-order runs in all competitions.

Four County Championship half-centuries and 28 dismissals in ten games were followed by a maiden century for the club, scored against Derbyshire in the One Day Cup before a finger injury put an end to his season a month early.

By the point of that injury, he had already done enough to turn his temporary switch into a permanent one, with McManus agreeing a two-year contract with Northamptonshire.

Now in 2024, McManus has enjoyed a productive pre-season period and approaches the season looking to bounce back from a difficult 2023.