Blog about all things cricket, including the high's & low's of supporting Warwickshire, following England around the country, along with plenty of appreciation for an Ian Bell cover drive.

Wednesday 29 November 2017

A look ahead at Warwickshire's 2018 season


After the 2017 season proving to be quite disappointing in some ways for Warwickshire with us facing relegation, but then also some great things to shout about such as reaching the final of the T20 Blast, it's now time to look ahead to the 2018 season with new fixtures, a new captain, and a new division. 

Firstly, I'm sure that most Warwickshire fans will be with me and say that its amazing news to hear that the wonderful Jeetan Patel (sings Jeets chant to myself...thanks Tom & Alex) has been appointed as Club Captain for County Championship team and One Day Cup team. He is no doubt one of our best players, and this is shown through the various awards he has won including 2017's Players Player Of The Season, which was thoroughly deserved, so the appointment is welcome news. He is going to make a great captain by setting a great example to the lads and he has years of experience to back him up, as well as playing with his heart and soul for the bears. As well as his constant motivation to the other guys on the field, you can tell that playing means so much to him and winning is his aim, as his voice is always the one heard most clearly at the back of the members area. He might be our overseas player, but he is certainly a true bear, who I know will put everything into getting us back where we need to be...Div 1 champions! In addition, its great news to hear that Grant Elliot is returning as the T20 captain. Last season, he got the lads playing some more fresh, exciting cricket posting bigger scores and helping with the bowling as well which enabled us to reach Finals Day. I am so glad he is coming back to try and get revenge this season and challenge for the silverware again, as you can tell he wants to do so well for the bears and is a fantastic overseas player. Another good appointment in the captaincy department is Dom Sibley as vice captain, which is a good attempt to hope to get leaders in the team coming through and during this transition period to engage the younger lads in leadership so we aren't searching for a captain in the coming seasons. Dom will learn a lot from watching Jeets and the other senior players, so in a few seasons he can be the captain to help us win more trophies. I cant wait to see the captains in action next season.

Fixture announcements have come out for next season and all in all the season looks a jam-packed one, but that makes it all the more exciting. The county championship fixtures were what I quickly scrolled to first, to see what days I can get away from revision to sit freezing cold at Edgbaston. It is slightly disappointing to see that they seem to have been pushed to the start of the season, where its just about out of winter, or end of the season where its basically autumn, but there is a few games in the height of summer which is good news, however not many at weekends which is sad news. The away fixtures also look very good, I am particularly excited for an away trip to Kent so I can go see my best friend Lettie as we have waited a long time for a Warwickshire V Kent game, as well it sounds like it possibly could be the Tunbridge Wells festival week so that should be a great away day at a wonderful little ground. Plus the Middlesex away being in the warmer days of the season and after exams also looks a good away day, as well as Glamorgan. I am definately looking forward to watching some proper cricket and keeping everything crossed that there is a free cake on the 1st of each champ game at Egbaston...



The One-Day Cup fixtures have also been released, which look a good bunch as well. Played throughout May & June it does make it slightly difficult to fit these in whilst I am meant to be buckling down and revising for exam season in June, but the fixtures look solid nevertheless. There is a Warwickshire V Worcestshire game in there as well at home which will be a good derby and one I'm sure we will come out on top in. One silver lining is that the final day is at the end of June, so not only is it warm (can you tell I don't like the cold) I also happen to have booked that week off work, so if Warwickshire could repeat their 2016 campaign and make it all the way to Lords and win that would be fabulous, lets make it happen! I think we can really challenge for this title this season, with new, young talent such as Ed Pollock and Aaron Thomason breaking into the T20 team I am hoping they can do the same in the 50 over team and play alongside the senior players who will also step up, and I believe we have one very talented batsmen in Sam Hain who will boss the competition once again. 



The fixture list that most people get most excited for is the T20 Blast list, and most eyes turn straight to the Bears V Pears derby, and the date is already in my diary! The games lined up look like amazing fixtures, with us starting our campaign away to Notts at Trent Bridge, which I hope to attend with a large bears following there and a repeat of the final, but not a repeat of the result! Then our first home game agasint Yorkshire Vikings, and continuing the home games with plenty of Friday nights lined up at edgbaston with the best atmosphere in cricket I think, along with sun-soaked Sunday afternoons watching the game. The introduction of midweek games to our home fixture list will also be a interesting one, and I'm sure the atmosphere will be just as good as a Friday night, as no school the next day for me! What a way to finish the home season as well with the clash with Worcestershire which last year brought in a record home crowd at Edgbaston, so that is going to be one hell of a game and night. The fact we also have a double header game with the KSL on our game against Lancashire Lighting, when Loughborough Lighting will take on Western Storm is a great prospect as well to add to the season. With Grant back as captain, and the signs of the cricket we saw last season with the talent shining through I think our chances are right up there for the title in 2018, bring it on! T20 Blast season is always an exciting time for the club with lost of exciting things happening on and off the pitch including the talent from the guys and the atmosphere off the pitch, and perhaps this season we can have a kids zone for adults? 



In 2018, our county championship title race will this season be in division 2 which is obviously not where we wanted to be at all, but its something to embrace and try and see the positive side of. It means that we can go through the transition period and build up a solid team with a mix of experience and young talent and build up through the season, and also through the divisions. It also gives us new opposition, and with that comes new grounds to visit, so the away days will be a good prospect as well. Kent was one I looked forward to as I've said, but also Leicestershire & Sussex are great ones as I love those grounds, and Middlesex away will be a good spectacle. Division 2 is certainly not going to be easy with some very good teams who have some very good players all fighting for promotion but I am confident we can put up a good fight and challenge to get back up to Division 1.

The 2018 season does boast plenty of things to look forward to all in all, perhaps not for the lads as much who aren't getting an abroad pre-season trip, instead are heading off to the car park to get the practice in a marquee. However, the return of cricket is always an exciting time, giving  a chance for us to build a good solid squad with a mix of young talent that are all ready to prove themselves with the experienced/senior guys stepping up in county game, and 50-over games. Plus, hoping the exciting cricket played by our T20 squad makes next T20 campaign a entertaining one and fingers crossed a winning one. It will also be good to catch up with all the members at the beginning of the season, and at the members events which I hope will be returning as they were a good laugh, especially in the pub quiz where we all definitely saw each others competitive side. Of course, I am also hoping for some sun!! Next season looks like it's going to be a good one, can it hurry up please. 

Here's to hoping Warwickshire can pull of one hell of a season next year!
Youuuuu Bearsssssss!!