GerryShedd
Super Moderator
This book should be an interesting read:
https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/last-corinthian
And a happy 90th birthday to him at the end of June!
Chris Woakes available for the next three matches is good news:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/durham-vs-bears-20-june-2023/
Overall, added to Hasan Ali leaving, it's not good news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/injury-update-ahead-of-blast-r/
Pleased to see that Keith Cook had the honour of taking the Ashes trophy onto the pitch, though I see that they didn't dare bring out the actual Ashes Urn:
https://edgbaston.com/news/ashes-honour-for-bears-legend-keith-cook/?fbclid=IwAR1cWw-wDlUJBi5N1msXP2Etr6Ca39QO7Y4rCln-HAFxXaXe3uhNeIzs3nQ
Looks like Sam Hain is at least in the squad despite his injury:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/worcestershire-rapids-vs-bears-16-june-2023/#match-match-previews
Worcestershire's new Chief Executive:
https://wccc.co.uk/worcestershire-announce-appointment-of-ashley-giles-as-chief-executive/
This looks like pretty good news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/biggest-ever-allocation-of-international-cricket-from-2025-31-announced-for-edgbaston/
Not much evidence of any bowlers who could step up to first team action here:
https://somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/club-news/second-xi-t20-warwickshire-v-somerset/
A quick return to action today.
I will be interested to see the crowd size today compared with last Saturday when there was a really good crowd. I'm all in favour of encouraging women's cricket and back-to-back women's and men's games seems like a good idea. But whether playing a Bears match on a Saturday evening rather than in the afternoon will work is another matter.
I'm probably biased because I don't want to face an almost two hour journey home late at night so am put off attending.
Here's a preview from the Lancashire perspective, though they have some nice things to say about Sam Hain:
https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/news/2023-news/match-preview-birmingham-bears-vs-lancashire-lightning/
Seems like an exciting finish at Barnt Green:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/second-xi/worcestershire-vs-warwickshire-24-may-2023/#match-match-reports
I think it's a great move by the Club to feature some of the unsung heroes from time to time:
https://edgbaston.com/news/behind-the-badge-mel-smith/
As the saying goes, the chances of this becoming law are slim to none - and Slim just left town. But it's interesting all the same:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/call-law-change-rugby-cricket-29527273
There's cricket to be seen this month:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bears-to-host-worcestershire-in-three-day-friendly/
Subject to the weather improving, of course!
Brian has tweeted: "Well, that's me done as Bears club journo, ending a 23-year connection with the club as reporter/employee."
I hope that it is an amicable parting because Brian is a great guy, always there in the press box to share a friendly word. I shall miss him.
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/
Get ready to put some dates in the diary:
https://edgbaston.com/news/2023-fixtures-to-be-released-next-week/
News based on Stuart Cain's letter to members:
Director of Cricket: three potential replacements, each of them with experience in leading high performance cricket teams at domestic or international level. All proven winners.
Bowling coach: close to appointing a replacement with extensive experience at county and national teams.
Overseas player: identified - an international bowler who can play in both the Championship and the Blast. He can also bat.
Blast: discussions are ongoing regarding the addition of batting strength, particularly for the Blast
Let's hope that the actual appointments live up to the hype.
The Club did well at these awards:
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/2902892/business-of-cricket-awards-showcase-innovation-and-good-practice-amongst-first-class-counties