In his 2024 end of season review, Deep Extra Cover’s correspondent noted that “Mark Robinson and one or two of his coaching staff may be sitting uncomfortably in their seats. It would be no surprise if there were some changes before the start of next season.” He might also have quoted Warwickshire’s oldest and most distinguished supporter and said: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”, for when the 2025 season starts, those who were crowned as the top people in the Edgbaston coaching structure will no longer be around.
Performance Director Gavin Larsen has returned to New Zealand and more recently First Team Coach Mark Robinson left “by mutual consent”, though rumour has it that he was given his marching orders by Chief Executive Stuart Cain. Add in the retirement of Operations Manager Keith Cook, after more than 50 years as a Bear and you have exactly the kind of clear-out that was forecast.
The reasons for the changes are pretty clear – near relegation from the top flight in the County Championship and, despite success in the Group stages, defeat at the hands of the eventual winners in both the T20 Blast and the One Day Cup.. The decision of popular ex-captain Will Rhodes to move to Durham and the shock retirement of keeper/batter Michael Burgess (aged just 30) added to the sense that all was not well behind the scenes at Edgbaston.
Some more positive (non-playing) news is that the Club has approval for a £42 million Edgbaston ground development scheme. It will be funded in part by the windfall produced by The Hundred sell-off. A 146-bed Radisson Red hotel will include a rooftop terrace, pitch-view rooms with balconies and other rooms that can be converted into hospitality boxes with external terraces to watch the match action. A new stand with increased capacity will replace the existing Raglan and Priory stands and the plan is for work to be completed in time for the men’s Ashes Test against Australia in 2027.
Last year, on the playing front, as well as Rhodes and Burgess, Warwickshire lost Liam Norwell (retired because of injuries) and Chris Benjamin (moved to Kent). The only non-overseas recruit has been seamer Ethan Bamber from Middlesex.
As for the behind the scenes staff, Warwickshire have managed to fill the gaps caused by the departures of Larsen, Robinson and Cook. The most interesting appointment is that of James Thomas as Performance Director. He has no background in cricket, coming from Manchester City F.C. where he has been the Director of Performance Services. Other sports where he has been involved include gymnastics, boxing, judo, wheelchair rugby and athletics.
Former Assistant Coach and ex-player Ian Westwood has taken over as first team coach. Ex-England international Simon Kerrigan has moved from the Academy to be 2nd XI Coach and offer specialist spin bowling support, while Tony Frost has taken up the Head of Cricket Operations role and has been replaced as batting coach by Matthew Walker (from Kent).
Warwickshire have quite rightly been criticised for the calibre and performance of most of their recent overseas recruits and hopefully this year’s intake will fare better.
Key Player
Warwickshire supporters will be fervently hoping that Ed Barnard stays fit and well throughout the season. In 2024, though he hardly featured in the T20 side, he scored over 1300 runs and took almost 50 wickets across the three competitions. He also captained the One Day Cup team.
One to watch
Is there anyone who can replace Will Rhodes in the upper batting order? Maybe it is too soon to place that burden on the shoulders of Hamza Shaikh, still only 18 years old. Even so, he has impressive credentials. He has captained England Under-19s and in January played three games for England Lions in Australia. Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley have already stepped up to full international selection so Bears fans and England supporters alike will be keeping an eye on Shaikh’s progress this season.
Ins and Outs
Overseas signings: Tom Latham (New Zealand, to play all formats), Beau Webster (Australia, May-July), Vishwa Fernando (Sri Lanka, until 21st April), Hasan Ali (Pakistan, from 29th May if fit).
Ins: Ethan Bamber (Middlesex)
Outs: Will Rhodes (Durham), Chris Benjamin (Kent), Michael Burgess (retired), Danny Briggs (Hampshire, loan for Global Super League in Nov/Dec 2024), Amir Khan (released)
How will they fare
As is so often the case, much will depend on the fitness of the bowlers. Chris Rushworth may have recovered from the injury that kept him out for most of last season, but at 38 he is in pace bowling old age. Olly Hannon-Dalby, newly appointed chair of the Professional Cricketers Association, is approaching 36 and, as already mentioned, Hasan Ali’s recovery from his elbow injury is as yet untested. Not much may be seen of Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali, in his last season, will feature only in the T20 Blast.
There are also question marks about spin bowling in four day cricket. Danny Briggs, a T20 Blast star, had a disastrous County Championship campaign last year. Possibly Jake Lintott needs to be given more of a chance, especially since the part-time spin of Mousley and Bethell may only occasionally be available.
As for the batting, Sam Hain and captain Alex Davies can probably be relied upon for runs and the recruitment of Latham looks to be a good move.
If the Bears are to challenge for any trophy, the Blast looks to be their best option. Mid-table safety in the Championship would be a luxury after last year’s flirtation with relegation and as for the One Day Cup, who knows? It will at least be a chance for some of the younger players such as Kai Smith to gain valuable experience.
Opening fixture: CC v Sussex on April 4 at Edgbaston
Likely Championship XI
- Davies
- Yates
- Latham
- Hain
- Bethell
- Mousley
- Barnard
- Bamber
- Fernando
- Rushworth
- Hanson-Dalby
