Keeper Batsman

Ricardo
Vasconcelos

27

27

Ricardo
Vasconcelos

First-class appearances

71

First-class runs

3,934

First-class centuries

8

Date of Birth:
27/10/1997
Nationality:
South African
Shirt Number:
27
Batting Style:
Left-hand Bat
Career Best:
185

A Northamptonshire innings hasn’t truly got underway until Ricardo Vasconcelos unveils his trademark drive to the cover boundary.

Such stylish and empathic strokeplay, and the accompanying run-scoring, has led to the diminutive opening batter being considered one of the hottest prospects in county cricket, with vultures circling until a new three-year contract extension was signed in July.

It was, however, a frustrating 2022 season for Vasconcelos. The pressures of captaincy, named skipper in first-class cricket after Adam Rossington’s departure for Essex, affecting his game, and a decision taken to resign from the role midway through the campaign. A single century and 576 County Championship runs constitutes an under-par return for a player of such talent.

@RicardoVasco27 Ricardo27Vasco

So too was there no opportunity to regain confidence with the pressure of captaincy lifted in the shortest format. Vasconcelos injured for the duration of the Vitality Blast. The chance to play without fear may well have reinvigorated the wicketkeeper-batter.

There were, however, signs of Vasconcelos being back to his best in the final months of the season. Not least in the One Day Cup, in which two centuries were scored, and a fighting 79 against Surrey in the County Championship in a partnership of 127 with Saif Zaib helped to earn Northamptonshire an excellent draw. The talent merely in hiding, and certainly not lost.

It means that 2023 constitutes a fresh start for the 25-year-old, as he aims to repeat the form that saw him score 845 runs in 2021, and produce more gorgeous cover drives that can be plastered over social media.

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