I agree with Andy that it's ok to hail this as a good signing, though if he under-performs, we will have egg on our faces.
As for Stirling, I won't mention who said that he would be a good signing because I don't want to embarrass Exiled Bear.

England Lions took a bit of a beating today; but Jacob top scored and, although he didn't take a wicket, was the most economical bowler:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-lions-in-sri-lanka-2022-23-1355654/sri-lanka-a-vs-england-lions-3rd-unofficial-odi-1355662/full-scorecard

As the oldest Warwickshire member once said:
"What's in a name?"

Mr Cain says: " We want the person to focus on high performance outputs and to get the best out of our players. We’ve not moved away from our principles but we want someone who understands the changing face of modern cricket, the increasing influence of the franchise game, and the mindset of contemporary players."
And of course none of that would apply to a Director of Cricket - or would it?

Yes, this looks like a great signing.

Interesting quote from Mickey Arthur in the latest edition of The Cricketer:
"I do genuinely believe that the game does itself a disservice in this country. County cricket is revered all over the world."

117 for twice out in four matches - star quality.

A bit worrying that three major sponsors are disappearing from English domestic cricket:
https://www.planetsport.com/cricket/news/ecb-attempting-attract-new-sponsors-ahead-busy-home-summer

I thought that alcohol related partnerships were a bit passé but maybe Naked Wines is an ok sponsor:
https://edgbaston.com/news/cheers-warwickshire-and-naked-wines-toast-new-partnership/

Jake certainly gets around the world!
https://edgbaston.com/news/lintott-its-a-great-opportunity-on-the-big-stage/
There have been rumblings about the T10 tournament around match fixing and players not getting paid but hopefully Jake stayed clear of all that.

Some recognition for Sam Hain:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bethell-and-hain-selected-for-england-lions/

Interesting article on Keith Barker:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-11590367/Keith-Barker-reflects-swapping-sports-devastating-bowler.html

Not sure that I'm too thrilled about Irani or Silverwood:
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/ronnie_irani_in_frame_fill_warwickshire_director_cricket_role.html

One up and two down for two years would achieve it, if that's how it must be.
As for removing counties, I guess that Leicestershire would be top of most people's list as most likely to go - and when did they ever produce anyone for England?
Oh, hang on, just remind me, which county developed that young lad Rehan Ahmed?

Ah, yes, the Adrian Shankar debacle! As someone said at the time, if you could cross him with Ravi Bopara, you might have a half decent cricketer and you'd have one heck of a sitar player.

Well, here's some good news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/woakes-shuns-ipl-for-county-championship-start/

A friend of a friend said that he met someone in a pub who has a cousin whose next door neighbour's dog once barked angrily when he saw someone who looked a bit like Robinson in the street, so that sounds pretty conclusive to me.

It looks like there are some reciprocal membership arrangements in place:
https://cricket.derbyshireccc.com/2022/12/2023-membership-reciprocal-arrangements-confirmed/

The Club currently turning over stones to discover the missing Director of Cricket:
'Warwickshire’s search for a Director of Cricket continues, with the Club committed to finding the right person to bring long-term success to Edgbaston, after the candidate offered the job unexpectedly turned it down for personal reasons.

Chief Executive Stuart Cain, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating, but after two months of conversation, the individual concerned decided not to accept the role.

"So we continue to speak to candidates who match the profile and will appoint as quickly as possible, but this appointment is for the long term and if it takes us a few months longer than we would have hoped then so be it.

“The delay won’t hinder plans for next season.

“Mark Robinson is a highly experienced Head Coach, supported by long standing Bears, Ian Westwood, and Tony Frost, as well as the new bowling coach, Stuart Barnes. They have put together a plan to address the issues we faced last year and make sure we challenge for honours across red and white ball cricket next season which the players support.

"They’re ready to hit the indoor nets hard in January, with the new signings already bringing a fresh edge to things.

“There is then the wider team who are also cracking on with their jobs. Gary Barwell is one of the best Groundsmen in the game, Paul Greetham runs an excellent talent pathway, Gerhard Mostert is one of the county circuit’s best Heads of Medicine and Keith Cook is running things behind the scenes in the same way as he has done for more than 20 years.

“We know that the team is in good hands and shaping up well for the season ahead. We will keep Members updated on developments regarding the Director of Cricket.”'

So who was it that turned the job down? And what happened to the other two who were supposedly on the short-list?

Yes, the Rea Bank Stand, long before it became the Hollies.