Former South African Test captain Kepler Wessels is to be Northamptonshire's new First Team Manager.

He will replace former Director of Cricket Bob Carter, who parted company with the club after a disappointing 2002 campaign despite havinga year left on his contract.

Those whom we consulted about the appointment have praised his work ethic and commitment Northants cricket chairman John Scopes

Wessels will join the club in March following the Cricket World Cup, which is being staged in South Africa for the first time.

"I am well aware of the club's goals, aspirations and objectives, and will do everything power to help them succeed," he said.

"It is always a challenge to work with an emerging team, and I am looking forward to a productive association with the players, club officials, members and supporters."

The 45-year-old is the second South African to coach Northants, with Mike Procter, now a Test match referee, doing the job in the early 1990s.

Wessels was his country's first Test skipper following their re-admission to officially-sanctioned international cricket, having previously made 24 Test appearances for Australia.

Wessels made a hundred in his debut Test innings

He scored 24,738 first-class runs during his career at an average of over 50, including 66 centuries and had a spell in county cricket with Sussex between 1976 and 1980..

Since retirement, he has divided his time between coaching and media work and has coached Eastern Province this season.

His new role will see him concentrate exclusively on the first team, a change of policy from Carter's more wide ranging brief and he will work closely with Australian skipper Mike Hussey.

Northants are also still looking for a second overseas player for 2003.

Skipper Mike Hussey has put forward the names of "four or five" fellow Australians, according to chief executive Steve Coverdale.

They include fast bowler Brad Williams, who has played one-day international cricket and is a regular member of the Australia A team.