Northants Cricket is delighted to announce the loan signing of 'Clarence the dragon' on a one-day deal from Northampton Town Football Club. Signed for an undisclosed fee, the green dragon will become the Steelbacks' mascot for Twenty20 Cup finals day this coming Saturday, where he will be involved in 'Bucking Bronco' competitions and mascot races, taking on the likes of Sid the Shark, Stumpy and Lanky the Giraffe.

Chief Executive Mark Tagg welcomed the loan deal, "We are delighted that Clarence has joined to help support the Steelbacks during our finals day adventure. We would like to thank the Cobblers for allowing us to borrow him, especially as our mascot 'Steeler' retired at the end of last season."

Cobblers Chairman David Cardoza said of the move; "All of us at Sixfields wish the Steelbacks every success for the Twenty20 finals day, we will all be rooting for them in their bid to win the cup.

"We are pleased to be working together on a number of projects and we are delighted to help out here by allowing Clarence to join them on loan for the day. No doubt all sports fans in the town will have an eye on events at Edgbaston and our game at Chesterfield hoping for a Northampton double!"

"Good luck lads!"

Photo by Pete Norton