Losing Sadler 'not easy' for Northants - Kleinveldt

Rory Kleinveldt took 10 wickets in four Tests for South Africa

Rory Kleinveldt says Northamptonshire will be doing everything possible to win a game before the end of the season following the departure of head coach John Sadler.

The club parted company with 42-year-old Sadler last week following their defeat by Somerset in the T20 Blast quarter-finals.

Kleinveldt and other assistant coaches have been put in charge for the current Division Two County Championship match against Derbyshire and the two remaining fixtures which follow.

"It's not easy losing your leader. We've just put our heads together and tried to remain as professional as possible for the last three games," the South African told BBC Radio Northampton.

Former fast bowler Kleinveldt played for Hampshire and Northamptonshire during a career which also saw him represent his country in all three formats of the game.

He was appointed as the club's lead bowling coach before the start of the 2024 season and it is thought he is likely to be a candidate to succeed Sadler in overall charge of the team.

The 41-year-old is working with fellow coaches Greg Smith (batting) and Graeme White (spin bowling and second XI) as the team look to secure a first Championship win of the season following eight draws and three defeats.

The team ended day two of their game against bottom club Derbyshire in a good position, leading by 232 with five second-innings wickets left.

"The reality is we haven't won a game this summer so there's an immediate goal for us to go towards," he said.

"Everyone has bought into it and hopefully we can get over the line (against Derbyshire)."