NORTHAMPTONSHIRE go into the new season still coming to terms with the ECB's decision to ban two South Africans, Andrew Hall and Johan van der Wath, from joining the county.

The pair, who would both have been Kolpak signings, were barred after playing in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

But the Steelbacks' Proteas flavour is still strong, with former Springbok all-rounder Nicky Boje, who replaces the prolific David Sales - who Essex made enquiries about signing during the winter - as captain and Lance Klusener in the ranks.

Australian wicketkeeper Riki Wessels and all-rounder Steven Crook and Ireland World Cup player Niall O'Brien are also part of a cosmopolitan 13-man squad.

Despite his club being rated as 10/1 outsiders to lift the LV County Championship Division Two title, Northants coach David Capel is in positive mood.

"The first couple of days is always important in the county championship and it will be no different at Chelmsford," the ex-England all-rounder told the Echo.

"Essex is always a tough place to go, but we have enjoyed a productive pre-season and have practised hard and feel we are well-prepared.

"We're very much looking forward to it."

Northants will be without England spinner Monty Pane-ar, who has been given time off by the ECB ahead of next month's Test series with New Zealand.

But former Essex opener and die-hard West Ham fan Stephen Peters is expected to open the batting. Towering 18-year-old Academy bowler Bud Bailey, who stands 6'7", has also been included.

Northants (from): Boje (capt), Peters, Wakely, White, Sales, Wessels, Bailey, Klusener, O'Brien (wkt), Crook, Lucas, Wigley, Brown.