GerryShedd
Super Moderator
You need to be careful about criticising Gary Barwell. When it comes to accepting negative comments, he is (allegedly) as thin-skinned as Donald Trump - though, fortunately and unlike the Donald, without access to Tomahawk missiles.
George Dobell, in The Cricketer, says Warwickshire's chances of doing well depend on the pitches:
"Over recent years, the club has developed a reputation for producing what would traditionally be termed as very good, very flat wickets. Given how busy this square has become, that's a fine effort. But if they are to challenge for the Championship, they might need to provide a little more assistance for their seam bowlers."
Andy wrote:
Is in the Hundread for this season. New captain required for ODC.
I'm sure that Mr Davies will be happy to step in.
This is an interesting development:
https://the-bear.counterpress.media/about
The involvement of Brian Halford and Paul Edwards suggests that there will be some good content. How many will be prepared to pay up to get the content remains to be seen.
A fantastic hundred by Jacob Bethell today, eventually in a losing cause for England.
No interest in watching The Hundred; but at least pleased to see that the Phoenix have got rid of that unhealthy Butterkist sponsorship:
https://www.cricketworld.com/birmingham-phoenix-announce-skechers-as-lead-partner-ahead-of-the-hundred-2026/109203.htm
The only problem is, I won't dare to wear my Skechers trainers to Edgbaston in case people think I'm supporting the Phoenix.
Looks like a good trip. I hope they are going to spend more time on the pitch at Stellenbosch than trying the free samples in the vineyards that took up most of my time there.
Reported that Chris Woakes makes the cover of this year's Wisden - one of the pictures of him batting with his arm in a sling.
That's good news.
Yes, I tend to think that maybe it was a slip.
Just to go back to what Neil Snowball said, it was all of ten years ago:
"On the cricket side, I don’t think it’s a glib statement to say that we should be competing in all three forms of the game. I would like to think that we had won some silverware in each of those [next] five years. That is a challenge we should set ourselves and what we should aspire to do.
We’ve got a target at the moment of having 40% of our players home grown. I’d like to see that increased to north of 50%.
I’d also like to see the next generation of Warwickshire players playing for England."
Thanks for this, Reabank.
Apart from the financial assessments that are as interesting as usual, I was struck by what you highlighted in your separate but linked Warwickshire assessment - namely what is missing from the Club's "playing pillar" which talks about “ creating sustainable success for the Bears (20 overs cricket) and Birmingham Phoenix (men and women’s)” (Hundred teams)." In other words, there is no mention of success in the County Championship or the 50 over competitions. Also the fact that there is no reference to the development of players for men’s and women’s international teams.
I can recall that when I interviewed ex-CEO Neil Snowball a few years ago, he was very specific on including winning trophies across all competitions and developing international players as key objectives. If these really have been dropped, that is very disappointing.
The Club has now posted something:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-county-cricket-club-is-mourning-the-passing-of-norman-gifford-mbe/?_gl=1*1peijby*_up*MQ..*_ga*MzMzNDE2ODIwLjE3NjkwMDU0Mjc.*_ga_NE7BBXK3VR*czE3NjkwMDU0MjYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjkwMDU0MjYkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_ZHXWMN2QK2*czE3NjkwMDU0MjYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjkwMDU0MjYkajYwJGwwJGgw
The Warwickshire website hasn't caught up with it yet; but Worcestershire have announced the sad news:
https://wccc.co.uk/news/norman-gifford-mbe-1940-2026/
Well, here's a surprise (if true)
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2026/01/13/moeen-ali-lined-up-for-shock-return-to-english-domestic-cricket/
A great innings from Jacob Bethell!
There's an article in the Telegraph today about his childhood in Barbados, how his appetite for practice was insatiable - he would get his mother to bowl to him at 5.00 am.
My own very short direct experience with him confirms that dedication. I went to the pre-season media day in 2022 - the day when the players get photographed and are available for interview. The interviews took place on the practice ground where the players were in the nets. Three of us (George Dobell, me and one other) asked to interview Jacob Bethell who was in the nets batting. Whereas everyone else called for interview came over straight away, the message back from Jacob was that he was busy batting and would get to us afterwards.
When he did eventually come over, he was very charming and helpful - but batting came first!
According to an article in The Telegraph, when Jacob Bethell applied to go to Rugby School, he needed three references. One was provided by Sir Garry Sobers and a second by Sir Everton Weekes. The article doesn't say who provided the third but I suspect that it didn't matter too much.
Yes and a Happy New Year to all Bears fans everywhere!
As always, many thanks, EB, for keeping this Forum going. Long may it continue!
I'm glad that the Club reached out to you for your opinion, even though they didn't go with every amendment that you suggested.
If it's not confidential, who was it in the Club that contacted you?