Northants cut trio loose

Warren was released because of personal differences

Northamptonshire have released all-rounder Matthew Cassar, and allowed batsman Russell Warren and seamer Mike Cawdron to leave with a year of their contracts remaining.

Cassar, 29, joined from Derbyshire in 2001 but only made an impact in the first team in the latter stages of this season as Northants finished seventh in Division Two of the Championship.

Director of cricket Bob Carter has already paid with his job.

"We are looking to strengthen the playing staff in other areas within strict financial limits," chief executive Steve Coverdale said.

"And so at this stage we couldn't make a commitment to him for 2003."

Cawdron failed to make a Championship appearance all season.

And Warren was left in the 2nd XI despite a good start to the season because of personal differences within the team.

Mark Powell and Robert White, who set a new Northamptonshire opening-partnership record of 375 against Gloucestershire earlier this month, have both earned new long-term deals.

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Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and Jeff Cook have had their contracts extended.

And batsmen David Paynter and Jamie Wade have both been promoted from the club's academy to the professional staff.