Varun Chopra signs

Former Essex opening batsman Varun Chopra has signed with the Bears! The 22 year old has signed a 3 year deal. With him signed and Maddy coming back next year hopefully the top of the order should be a bit stronger next year.

Releases and signings (updated)

Its that time of year, the season comes to an end and fringe players and those at the end of their contracts wonder if they are in the coach's plans for 2010 and beyond. I'll pin this article to the top of the blog for a bit.

Outgoing

Jimmy Anyon - been told he is free to talk to other counties. He does have a year on his contract though but his chance of a further career at the Bears is unlikely. He was in talks with Sussex. He now says he may stay and fight for his place.

Navdeep Poonia - released, not surprising really as his form has been rock bottom. He does have a lot of talent though so maybe he can start again elsewhere.

Shaaiq Choudhry - released, not sure if he ever made the first team?

Tony Frost - out of contract, will resume his ground staff work. Thanks to Frosty for being a True Bear!

Sreesanth - overseas pro, already left to play Indian domestic cricket. He has really looked the part, hope to see you again Sree!

Staying put

Naqaash Tahir - signed a new 2 year contract with a 3rd year option.

Stefan Piolet - signed a new 2 year contract.

Incoming?

Maurice Holmes - Kent leg spinner did arouse interest but concerns about his action cooled interest.

Ajmal Shahzad - Yorkshire bowler offered a contract but turned it down
Stephen Moore - has been spoken to by the club and been made an offer we understand but went to Lancashire instead
Paul Best - already in 2nd XI, will get summer contract next season
Imran Tahir - Pakistani - though SA qualified - leg-spinner could be the overseas pro next year... and indeed is the overseas pro now.
Varun Chopra - Essex batsmen has rejected a contract with Essex and will move to the Bears.

Possible

Matthew Hoggard - probably going to Leicestershire, Monty Panesar, Kabir Ali - he is going to Hampshire, WG Grace, Uncle Tom Cobbley.

Whither the Kolpak

New Home Office rules will been the gradual demise of the Kolpak player in English county cricket. Good news for young English players. Good news for South African cricket probably as so many of the players come from there. Bad news for the Kolpak players themselves of course. Mixed news for county supporters as the new rules will mean genuine quality players like Dwayne Smith are ruled out though its no doubt good that the waves of SA journeymen coming here is over.

Imran Tahir signs for Bears

Finally a signing! Pakistani leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been signed as the overseas professional next year. He was at Hampshire last year and may indeed play for them again in 2011 but for 2010 he is a Bear!

Moles in trouble as NZ coach (updated)

Andy Moles has received the backing of New Zealand Cricket (hopefully not the kind of backing football club chairmen give their embattled managers) after it was reported senior players were not happy with him as head coach and felt he wasn't up to it. Moles will continue as coach for the NZ tour to UAE to play Pakistan but there would be a review of the team's performance.

Update Oct 24 : And thats it! Andy Moles quits as NZ coach.

Craig White to be new bowling coach?

Yorkshire 2nd XI coach (and former player) Craig White could be stepping into Alan Donald's shoes as the new Warks bowling coach. White's experience playing for England playing in 30 tests bowling both spin and seam plus his success with the bowlers at Yorkshire would make him a good signing.

8 "key players" sign 3 year contracts

Eight Warwickshire players, including some of the key members in the side, have signed 3 year contract extensions. They are Ian Westwood, Jonathan Trott, Darren Maddy, Chris Woakes, Naqaash Tahir, Richard Johnson, Boyd Rankin and Ateeq Javid. Ian Bell will also discuss a contract extension when he comes back off holiday. Two new signings are also expected and will announced soon including an overseas spinner. Tim Ambrose has only signed a 1 year contract extension interestingly.

T20 groups for 2010

The T20 of 2010 (which sounds wrong) will consist of 2 groups of 9 teams. Warwickshire are in the northern team, top 4 go through to the next stage. I'd prefer randomly picked groups personally but they want to keep the "local derbies" i guess.

Derbyshire
Durham
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
Warwickshire
Worcestershire
Yorkshire

Warwickshire get drawn into the 40 over Group Of Death!

The draw for the first year of the ECB 40 has been made, 21 teams split into 3 groups of 7. Warwickshire were drawn into Group C.

Durham
Hampshire
Kent
Leicestershire
Nottinghamshire
Scotland
Warwickshire

A tough group but not insurmountable.

The ECB are asking the public for a suitable name for the Minor Counties/Unsigned youngsters team the Recreational XI, i have suggested Young Thrusters. Which sounds a bit porn really i suppose.

Most disgraceful moment in the history of cricket

Boo! The underarm incident. Of course this was the "most disgraceful moment" until KP's skunk hair-do.

Aussie culture!

Bonza!

Ramps accuses Warks players of getting special treatment with England

Mark Ramprakash has attacked England's selection policy. He especially seems to think the KOS' role as selector as well as Warks coach means that Warwickshire players get picked for England instead of himself. I thought it was because he was nearly 40 but silly old me.

MP demands retractable floodlights

Sparkbrook’s Labour MP, Roger Godsiff, thinks the floodlights at Edgbaston 2.0 will be a blot on the landscape (hold on, arn't we talking about Birmingham not the Lake District?) and says the council should only support the ground expansion if the floodlights are made retractable. The MP says as the club is seeking the council's support for the loan it will need the council should use this as leverage to force retractable lights.

The Captain extends his contract

Ian Westwood has signed a contract extension keeping him at the club for at least the next 3 years. He is also likely to be the captain for the forseeable future as the KOS is very happy with him. One problem for Westy that still puts a question mark over him (apart from his far-to-middling batting ability) is his tact. Lets hope he doesn't run down women's cricket and make the girls cry again at an awards presentaton again!

Update : however he has apologised for that so that makes it all right then...