T20 Blast bite-size preview: Birmingham Bears

Rebranded and raring to go, despite the absence of the retired Darren Maddy, Warwickshire's T20 contingent will want a better finish than last year's fourth place in the Midlands Division.
<b>Brief Overview:</b> Rebranded and raring to go, despite the absence of the retired Darren Maddy, Warwickshire's T20 contingent will want a better finish than last year's fourth place in the Midlands Division.
<b>Venue:</b> Sporting probably the best atmosphere of any English ground, when Edgbaston – aka: The Bullring – gets going it can be tough for visiting teams. A period of significant renovation at the end of the 1990s produced the new Cricket Centre and the £2million Hollies Stand.
<b>Batsman To Watch:</b> Former England all-rounder Rikki Clarke put his hand up for an Indian Premier League contract – but was rejected. There remains fight in the old dog yet, regardless.
<b>Bowler To Watch:</b> All-rounder Chris Woakes sports a bright international future, but is still modestly grounded in county cricket. An ability to bowl wicket to wicket – and explore wider angles – will be key.
<b>Overseas Signings:</b> Spinner Jeetan Patel snubbed a recall to the New Zealand squad to honour his county contract. Club before country has never been more acutely epitomised.
<b>Know Your Mascot:</b> Edgbaston's Carmen Bear will be joined by fellow Bear Hugh, Aston Villa's Hercules and Bella, Birmingham City's Beau Brummie, Coventry City's Sky Blue Sam, Walsall's Swifty, West Bromwich Albion's Baggie and Albi Bird, and Wolves' Wolfie and Wendy in an extended mascot derby on 23 May.
<b>Cricket365's Prediction:</b> Fourth in North Division.
Latest
-
News
Heather Knight excited by freedom on offer after New Zealand quarantine
England Women will be able to break out of the coronavirus ‘bubble’ lifestyle in a country which has effectively contained the disease.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England day one: Tourists carve out dominant performance in Galle
The tourists skittled Sri Lanka for 135 then replied with 127 for two.
-
News
Stuart Broad and England in ‘dream world’ after superb first day in Sri Lanka
Broad took three wickets and Dom Bess five before Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow took England within eight runs of their hosts’ total.
-
News
England dominate day one of Sri Lanka Test after brilliant Stuart Broad start
Broad’s early scalps set the tone for a day England ended just eight runs behind their opponents with eight first-innings wickets intact.
-
News
Boucher says its time for Proteas to get back to Pakistan
Mark Boucher will direct the Proteas on their first tour of Pakistan since 2007 which gets underway later this month.
-
News
Stuart Broad and Dom Bess run through lacklustre Sri Lanka on day one
The hosts made just 135 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
-
News
England make early inroads as Stuart Broad strikes
Sri Lanka slipped to 65 for three on the first morning after opting to bat in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: I felt anxious and out of place at start of international career
Buttler admits to feeling daunted at being in close proximity to established stars.
-
News
Jacques Kallis admits to warming to the idea of helping arch enemy England
The South African is the third-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket.
-
News
Graham Onions admits coaching chance is a huge relief after premature retirement
A back issue sustained on the eve of the Bob Willis Trophy led to the 38-year-old announcing his retirement.