GerryShedd
Super Moderator
As Mark Twain said, never let facts get in the way of a good story.
Since the new coaching structure came into place, there have been quite a few contract extensions signed. Here's another one:
https://edgbaston.com/news/george-garton-signs-new-bears-deal/
sdobbs wrote:
There's a two day friendly on march 25-26 Vs Northampton at Edgbaston listed on https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=c_matches#c8f6422d9-d87f-4fd9-9084-95f59dc0d112 and a corresponding 2nd XI fixture at Portland road. Behind closed doors?
Confirmed - behind closed doors.
Not sure where he disappeared to. I've edited to put him back in.
Thanks for spotting that!
OH-D speaks out on behalf of bowlers:
https://x.com/brainhaldorf/status/1901919161623687614
Coincidentally, my season preview is on Deep Extra Cover today - I don't think we disagree on too much. I put Danny Briggs in the four day side because otherwise the length of the tail scared me:
https://deepextracover.com/2025/03/warwickshire-season-preview-2025/
You win some, you lose some:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/warwickshire-v-essex-friendly-15-march/#match-match-reports
Dan has signed a new contract:
https://edgbaston.com/news/mousley-signs-new-two-year-warwickshire-contract/
Great news that Sam will be a Bear for at least the next four seasons (until end 2028)
https://edgbaston.com/news/hain-signs-warwickshire-contract-extension/
George Dobell says:
"The appointment might be considered something of a risk, ... Thomas' relative inexperience in cricket will leave him with a steep learning curve in the coming months. Warwickshire hope the experience of those around him, not least the interim head coach, Ian Westwood, and the new director of cricket operations, Tony Frost, will ensure this isn't too much of a disadvantage."
I think we've all given full vent to our sarcasm about his lack of cricketing experience! Maybe alongside that, we should wish him well.
I guess on his first day, the coaches will be there to tell him: “No, you hold the bat by this end.”
Not sure if anyone on here would have known him; but the Club's Facebook page says:
"We're shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Warwickshire fan Leonard Hall and his wife Pat following a fire at their home in Rugby.
Leonard was a life-long Bear.
We helped him celebrate his 96th birthday here last year. 🥰
A lovely man."
There have been rumours that the BBC radio coverage of county cricket was under threat. In fact, the only loss will be the One Day Cup which will not be covered.
The Cricketer reports:
"Every day of County Championship and T20 Blast cricket will again be available.The only change sees the One-Day Cup group stage, which since 2021 has clashed with The Hundred competitions, lost from the schedule."
The Cricketer also points out:
"The move comes as counties themselves continue to shift from using the BBC commentary for their live streams, instead preferring perhaps a more favourable in-house team. The quality and sophistication of streams have exploded in recent years - significantly so since the pandemic - and last summer saw 30 million views across the 18 first-class counties."
To be fair to Lizzie, she does say: "Warwickshire are set to announce a new performance director in the coming days but it is not thought that Ashworth was considered."
My money's on Elon Musk.
The Times article makes it clear that alongside Jim Troughton on the shortlist for the Performance Director role are "some names from outside cricket".
With regard to Moeen, it seems that he will have a player-coach role with the Bears during the Group stages of the Blast but his contract will end in July so, unless there is a new agreement, he won't be available should the Bears qualify for Finals Day. Also it seems that, after this season, he will have no playing role in English domestic cricket but will still be up for hire in franchise tournaments around the world. He is already committed to the IPL in April and May and the Caribbean Premier League in August and September.
Although I don't regard The Times' Lizzie Ammon as the most reliable source, the gist of her article is being repeated elsewhere.
Matthew Walker has joined as batting coach on a one-year contract.
I think he's a good guy so I won't make too much of the fact that he guided Kent to relegation last season (and in the process did the Bears a favour).
https://edgbaston.com/news/matthew-walker-joins-bears-as-batting-coach/
George's article puts the responsibility for the poor overseas signings on Larsen as well as blaming him for problems with contract renewals. He suggests that the better quality of recent overseas signings was down to Robbo.
It would be interesting to know the full story of what happened between October and February. As we all noted on here, Robinson disappeared for quite a while from all of the Club's website articles. Then he was back, then he was gone!