As a youth he toured New Zealand with England Young Cricketers in the 1990–91 season, playing two test matches and two one day internationals.
He also played two youth ODIs against Australia the following summer, opening the batting with future county colleague Mal Loye.
He made his first team debut for his home-county Northamptonshire in 1992, and played for the county in 109 first-class matches over ten seasons.
During this time he made ten centuries, with a highest score of 201 not out, but only reached the landmark of 1000 runs in a season once; in 2001.
His departure was occasioned by a dressing room split after he began going out with the ex-fiancée of his fellow wicketkeeper Toby Bailey.