David Sales should have been as miserable as sin.

While the rest of the Northamptonshire squad were enjoying their pre-season tour to Grenada, the 24 year-old was stuck in the county's indoor nets, for yet another day's training with the club's second team.

Was he jealous of his team-mates thousands of miles away in the Caribbean?

Not a bit of it.

"I'm actually in the best place," he said.

"I asked to stay here in fact so I could work on technique and fitness, and I feel great.

"I think the decision not to travel with the rest of the squad has paid off."

Ironically, it was in Grenada, while on tour with England A some 13 months ago, that Sales snapped his cruciate ligament, a freak accident during a game of beach-volleyball.

Recovery

After more than a year of recovery and slow recuperation, the Northants' management agreed they would rather Sales stay at home and train, than travel with the rest of the squad to the Caribbean island.

The change in fortunes experienced by Sales over the last few years has been dramatic.

In 1996 he burst onto the county scene with 210 not out against Worcestershire to become the only Englishman to score a double century on debut.

He went on to become the youngest player in the championship to hit a triple century, 303 not out against Essex in 1999, and that same year became the youngest player to hit 1000 runs in the championship.

By the time of the injury at the start of 2001, he was being talked about as a serious England candidate, and a contender for a middle-order spot in the team to face last summer's touring Australians.

"An injury like that puts a lot into perspective - last year was a missed year in cricket terms, but now it's time for a new chapter."

Sales' recovery has been relatively swift, thanks largely to successful reconstructive surgery on his knee, and a fierce determination to get fit again.

Indeed he was back for the very end of last season, playing the last four Sunday League games for the Steelbacks.

During the winter he played domestic cricket in New Zealand for the Wellington Firebirds, and helped his team progress to the one-day final where he was named Man of the Match.

Winning habit

"The winter in New Zealand was brilliant", he said.

"I averaged 35 out there and got into the habit of winning."

Sales now hopes this success continues throughout the summer with Northants.

The county endured a dreadful 2001, with relegation in both leagues, but there have been a flood of new signings at Wantage Road and Sales is optimistic about the club's prospects.

Indeed Sales recently signed a new three-year contract with Northants which will keep the hard-hitting batsman at the County Ground until the end of 2005.

"I'm very happy at Northants. I never thought of leaving, and I am delighted to have signed the new contract.

"We have brought in some very good players, and as a club we are very ambitious."

"Our goal is to gain promotion in both leagues and reach the finals of the cup competitions."

Sales will fit neatly into Northants highly impressive batting order, and his return to fitness is a major factor in the bookies' decision to rate the county as favourites for promotion back to Division One of the championship.