Stone and Brookes get tongues wagging in the Cricket world cup

The most surprising signing of the close-season was announced in mid-February when Warwickshire disclosed that they had persuaded England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace to join them as director of sport. It is, of course, not unknown for coaches to swap international responsibilities for domestic ones but Farbrace’s preparedness to make the move just a few months before a World Cup and an Ashes series said a great deal about his regard for the Edgbaston job and the ambition of his new county on its return to Division One.

In truth, though, Warwickshire’s determination to expunge the memory of their dismal relegation in 2017 had long been clear. It was expressed in forthright, albeit good-humoured, terms by Ashley Giles, Farbrace’s predecessor, before he was appointed managing director of England men’s cricket in January; it had been shown by the raft of signings the club had made even before the recruitment of Liam Norwell and Craig Miles from Gloucestershire late last summer; and it was made evident in the most aesthetically pleasing fashion by the batting of Ian Bell, whose five Championship centuries in 2018 reminded spectators from Tunbridge Wells to Hove what a rare talent the veteran still possessed.

But the guard is changing at Edgbaston. Jonathan Trott has retired after 16 seasons with the county, Keith Barker has joined Hampshire, Chris Wright has decamped to Leicestershire and Boyd Rankin has been released. It seems certain that Norwell and Miles will not be short of opportunities, especially as Olly Stone’s back injury will prevent him being fit for the start of the season.

There should also be opportunities for 19-year-old Henry Brookes, whose fast bowling caused a lot of excitement last year before he became yet another cricketer cursed with a stress fracture to his spine.

Bell apart, the batting responsibilities seem likely to be carried by relatively recent signings. Will Rhodes proved there is life after Yorkshire by making 972 runs last season and Dominic Sibley’s 777 runs was boosted by four late centuries. Tim Ambrose will again be on hand to take a spot in the lowermiddle order but Chris Woakes’ availability is likely to be limited by the World Cup and the Ashes.

There is also an increasing air of stability at the club. Warwickshire used only 16 players in the Championship in 2018 compared to 26 in the preceding year. But only four of that 16 could be classed as locals and some members are still waiting for the academy to develop young cricketers in the manner it once managed. Nevertheless, confidence is growing at Edgbaston that the new side will hold its own in Division One, and no team led by Jeetan Patel will want for determination.

There is a good argument that Warwickshire’s skipper and firstchoice spinner is the best overseas signing for any county in recent years; even his 56 wickets in 2018 do not refl ect his influence on a team he both captains and leads. But neither Patel in the Royal London Cup nor Grant Elliott in the Blast could steer Warwickshire towards the knockout stages of a white-ball competition in 2018. That will be another challenge among the many facing Farbrace when he takes up his new responsibilities at a club where success is expected.

Source: cricket world cup 2019 schedule