In his Northamptonshire career so far, Procter has taken key wickets as well as hitting crucial runs through the middle of innings. His strong technique also allows him success at the top of the order in the County Championship.

Efforts that meant he was agonisingly close to reaching the sought-after milestone of 1,000 County Championship runs in 2022. Ending the season on 961 runs at an average of 53.38, a pair in the penultimate game of the season against Somerset, and scoring just two in the final innings of the campaign against Essex, ultimately saw him fall short at the final hurdle. The absence of a further 39 runs took very little way from what was an incredibly impressive season with the bat, with Procter scoring three centuries and ending the campaign as Northamptonshire’s highest run scorer.

The highlight, and a performance befitting of a leader, coming against Essex at Chelmsford. The scene of a dismal two-day defeat in 2021, Procter showed the fight that had been lacking on that occasion. His 114, fending off the likes of Sam Cook and Simon Harmer, a mightily impressive display.

His performances with the ball were also incredibly valuable. Often playing a supporting role to the four leading members of the attack, Procter’s 12 wickets obtained through a unique action that hurries opposition batters regularly rejuvenated his side when it appeared the game was slipping away from them. Even before being named skipper, his efforts with bat and ball had done more than enough for him to earn a new contract keeping him at Wantage Road until 2024.

He will now be hoping to get the best out of both himself and his teammates in 2023, with ambition and determination not lacking in a man who will turn 35 midway through the campaign.