GerryShedd wrote:

Mr Cain says: " We want the person to focus on high performance outputs and to get the best out of our players. We’ve not moved away from our principles but we want someone who understands the changing face of modern cricket, the increasing influence of the franchise game, and the mindset of contemporary players."
And of course none of that would apply to a Director of Cricket - or would it?

Exactly. My reading of the PD job description, is that it could well be the same as that for a DoC. I would think the term Performance Director allows us to recruit a (non-Cricket based) 'Sporting Director' - perhaps from football or rugby - whereas a DoC would come from a cricket background.

https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-agm-members-warm-welcome-for-new-club-president-amiss/

So, the club are soon to appoint a 'Performance Director', rather than a, "traditional Director of Cricket". From what's said, I don't know what the difference will be?!

In his first match for MI Emirates, Dan got 31 NO, going in at No 5. And took 1 for 10 in his 2 overs.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

BristolBear wrote:

Both strike me as odd candidates, especially considering the club has approached them.
I wonder if the role isn’t as popular as the club expected.
Silverwood did well as a coach, but hasn’t been a DoC as far as I’m aware. Plus I imagine Sri Lanka would want some compensation which is never ideal.
Irani wasn’t just unpopular over the alcohol accusations if memory serves me right. Plus whilst Essex did well during his reign, I’m not sure how much he contributed, and how much was good timing, considering they had a great crop of home grown youngsters on the squad when he took up his position, plus they had a lot of Alastair Cook after he stepped down from England.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/essex-ronnie-irani-alastair-cook-25189227

You're right BB, Irani fell out with a few at Essex, not just Cook. He's obviously a fairly abrasive character and one who perhaps finds it difficult to delegate, or let go of day to day 'hands on' control. I'm not sure how that would go down at Edgbaston - and particularly how he'd get on with Robinson.

I agree with BR about Irani. A decent record, but a difficult management style, which will have to be dealt with. And I agree with BB, Silverwood has a good Coaching pedigree, but his lack of DoC / Senior Management experience, is a sizeable hindrance.

If the Board feel that either can overcome (or progress from) those negatives, then I suppose both could be decent appointments, but that is a big ask.

GerryShedd wrote:

The Club currently turning over stones to discover the missing Director of Cricket:
'Warwickshire’s search for a Director of Cricket continues, with the Club committed to finding the right person to bring long-term success to Edgbaston, after the candidate offered the job unexpectedly turned it down for personal reasons.

Chief Executive Stuart Cain, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating, but after two months of conversation, the individual concerned decided not to accept the role.

"So we continue to speak to candidates who match the profile and will appoint as quickly as possible, but this appointment is for the long term and if it takes us a few months longer than we would have hoped then so be it.

“The delay won’t hinder plans for next season.

“Mark Robinson is a highly experienced Head Coach, supported by long standing Bears, Ian Westwood, and Tony Frost, as well as the new bowling coach, Stuart Barnes. They have put together a plan to address the issues we faced last year and make sure we challenge for honours across red and white ball cricket next season which the players support.

"They’re ready to hit the indoor nets hard in January, with the new signings already bringing a fresh edge to things.

“There is then the wider team who are also cracking on with their jobs. Gary Barwell is one of the best Groundsmen in the game, Paul Greetham runs an excellent talent pathway, Gerhard Mostert is one of the county circuit’s best Heads of Medicine and Keith Cook is running things behind the scenes in the same way as he has done for more than 20 years.

“We know that the team is in good hands and shaping up well for the season ahead. We will keep Members updated on developments regarding the Director of Cricket.”'

So who was it that turned the job down? And what happened to the other two who were supposedly on the short-list?

Could it be Giles, having second thoughts on ANOTHER return?

Although Highveld pointed out that we have a new Bowling Coach in the Farbrace thread, I think such an important appointment, needs it's own thread. However, I agree with him, that Barnes does appear to have a good pedigree and seems to be a positive acquisition.

Jordan Bulpitt's been mentioned a couple of times in this Winter thread, he didn't play that much for the 2nds this season (and not at all in the RLC), is he on any contract (Summer or otherwise)? I hope so, he is a promising left arm seamer.

I think the only omission from the Review, was no mention of Matt Lamb being released, despite being so high in the batting averages (with 48).

BristolBear wrote:

How, even in the brutal environment of professional sport, can any club can offer more loyalty and support to someone like Davies who’s been there for 5 seconds, looked like he couldn’t care less half the time, and played poorly, than to someone like Matt Lamb? A player who’s been at the club since he was 10 or 11, plays with passion for the club every match, and performed well. It’s just bewildering.
It’s the sort of decision making you see in failed businesses all the time. People too arrogant, stubborn or deluded to admit a mistake, so they double down on their error by backing it further. And by the time it’s so obvious even they can’t deny they’ve made a mistake, it’s too late.
I’m just hoping it’s not too late, but I look at the loss of Stone, Hose, Sibley, Lamb, Sidebottom, potentially Burgess. And I see the players who are lined up to take their places and be big parts of the side; likes of Davies, Yates, Bethell, Mousley, Benjamin, Johal, Ethan Brookes, and at this moment I can’t see an improvement. The likes of Yates and Davies need a complete turn around in form. And the younger players need to come of age and start delivering more than just potential.

Completely agree with all you've said BB. The whole situation regarding contracts, selection policy and Coaching appointments has been a total shambles this season. I guess Farbrace must take most of the blame as DoC, but I'm sure Robinson must also be responsible for many of the decisions.

Farbrace going and the possibility of a new Director starting afresh on all those matters might be a help, but I'm not holding my breath, as I'm sure all the previous decisions on contracts (for players and Coaches) will still be in place and Robinson will still be there, to make sure his ridiculous team selections continue.

BristolBear wrote:

Not sure I’ll ever see figures like that from a Bears bowler again.
I’m ecstatic and terrified in equal measure. So relieved we escaped.
But I’m hoping they don’t just gloss over this season, put it down to injuries and move on. They’re celebrating right now. But I hope they realise this isn’t an achievement.
There’s been some awful decisions and performances this year, and if they just carry on the same next year, it’ll go the same way again, except I think you only get one miracle like that in a lifetime.

Completely agree with you BB, it was an amazing result and one of the best bowling performances in recent history (LN deserves every plaudit), but I sincerely hope Management don’t hold this up as a triumph for their selections (in this and other games). We got out of jail, by the skin of our teeth and without that one man, we'd be well and truly bu**ered.

The powers that be MUST learn from the huge mistakes they've made. They must listen to Members and hold their hands up for major changes to Coaching structure, selection policy, contract negotiations and Captaincy choice. Only then will Norwell's efforts be properly rewarded.

Bald_Reynard wrote:

Mikkyk wrote:

I'd bring in Lamb for Bethell and Burgess for Yates.

As poor as Davies has been the rest of the season, he has to stay in the side for his knock in the second innings.

Assuming Siraj won't be available again, I would bring Johal in on the basis Sidebottom and Garrett are both out of contract, and neither should be renewed imo, so may as well give the lad who will be here next year a game.

I agree with much of that Mikkyk. Davies probably needs to be kept in as a batter. Lamb and Burgess SHOULD be back for Yates and Bethell, but I'm not holding my breath.

But I don't think Johal deserves a place, he's had a poor season for the 2nds. I'd probably stick with Sidebottom (not least because it almost certainly be Ryan's last game for us, but he's never really let us down and given the lack of chances he's had recently, I think he deserves a fond farewell).

And I wonder if Lintott might be given a red ball run out, in place of Briggs. JL has been Captaining in the 2nds Championship recently (and getting a lot of wickets, cheaply), so Management must feel he can do the 'proper stuff' - and Briggs has hardly done much with the ball this season.

I'd stay with Sidebottom for Hampshire. In his last game for the 2nd's, a couple of weeks ago, he took 6 for 28, off 8 overs. In fact, it was his only game for the Seconds, as he was playing for Derbyshire (1st's) in the first half of the season and then got injured. I think he deserves one last chance for us - I'm sure he will be leaving soon - he has never really let us down and on occasion, has been devastating. I remember his 6 for 35 (and 10 for 96 overall) in the match against Northants in 2018.

Johal has had a terrible season for the 2nd's - bowled in 13 innings and taken just 13 wickets, at an average of 60 ! If we hadn't given him a 3 year contract recently (one of the many crazy Management decisions this year !), he would surely have been on his way now.

If he does go to Durham, it will be because he wants to do a 'Pollock' and prove he can perform in the red ball game. Pollock has done OK (no more than that, so far) at New Road this season, he never got any chance at Edgbaston. The same with Hose. I don't blame them.

BristolBear wrote:

Who do we think actually plays? I can’t see OHD playing more than a couple. Doubt Norwell plays at all.
I suspect Maddy has been signed so Burgess can rest and won’t play every game. Expect Rhodes and Sibley will be given time off too.

Hope to see plenty of Johal, Simmons, Garrett, Brookes and maybe a chance for Khan too. It’d a shame Bethell is just going to be carrying drinks in the hundred rather than getting actual white ball match experience.

Ethan as well as Henry. The most interesting for me, is Lamb - will he do enough to get a contract renewal. I hope so.

Andy wrote:

Looks bad on Brookes, Johal, Garrett and Miles when they're all fit and available but we've had to get someone in on loan.

See my post on Page 2 of this thread. Brookes, Johal and Garrett all been bu**ered up by the Coaching regime they encounter beyond Academy level (IMO !). And don't get me started on the paucity of 1st team Batting Coaching !

Andy wrote:

Interesting, thanks for that.

Do you not think Warwickshire with its large Midlands catchment area should have more academy players in its squad and playing XI's? For a long time now we seem to have been a county that relies on looking outside and signing from other counties as opposed to promoting from within.

We consistently seem have the least amount of homegrown talent of all the counties.

I agree Andy. We do seem to lack the ability to bring local talent through into the 1st XI. I see a lot of 2nd's cricket and we blood loads of promising Academy players - but they just seem to lose their way as soon as they get near adult grade cricket. I put it down to the lack of good Coaching they get at that level. The Academy Coaches seem really on the ball and get the best out of the youngsters. As soon as they get 1st Team Coaching, they drift off. Look at the demise of Henry Brookes, George Garrett or Manraj Johal, particularly since Pop Welch departed. And how many batsmen have we lost recently - even Andy Umeed has got a second chance at Somerset.

I agree, one of our problems is lack of private schooling in the County, but a bigger issue is our rubbish Coaching set up. Frostie is long past his 'sell by date' and Matt Mason clearly can't replace Welch.

Andy wrote:

If we are indeed releasing Matt Lamb in order to create space for the likes of Mousley and Benjamin then its total madness.

Dan and Chris may well turn out to be the guys but right now they not quite ready for regular spots in the 4 day side.

I agree with you about Chris B, Andy, but I do think Dan deserved a place - he has got a great batting record for the 2nds this season and his bowling is useful. But I do think Benjamin didn't deserve any more chances - at No 3 or No 6. Matt Lamb has been treated disgracefully. There's no way Benjamin should be in, in front if him.

And as for the number of opportunities Davies as been given.........!

GerryShedd wrote:

A good win against (to be honest) a fairly nondescript Notts team. Maybe best news - at last some runs for Rob Yates, 89 not out.

And Norwell & Stone played a full 4 days. Decent runs for Lamb (I hope enough to get a new contract offer) and wickets for Lintott (enough for him to be given another CC chance).

Solbear wrote:

Some astute comments and observations. This year has been very disappointing on many levels - the mindset seems to be so negative in the four day game, with draws seen as successes, perhaps a reflection of a collective lack of confidence. The coach, as others have said, is conspicuously absent and quiet, unlike last year, and again as others have said, our bowling is shocking. Craig Miles averages nearly 75, Danny Briggs looks a shadow of what he did last year and Henry Brookes seems to be going backwards at alarming speed. Why and how has this happened, so soon after winning the Championship? All very sad and disappointing to see. You can only hope that things turn around quickly, that we stave off relegation and that if we can attract a top drawer OSP (for a change!) and with the arrival of a couple of new faces from our rivals down the M5, things will look a lot better next year.

Agree with all that Sol. And you are the first to have uttered the 'R' word. I think relegation is unlikely, but possible. Even if we manage to avoid it, the Management have a lot of questions to answer. It has been a chaotic season, all the priorities seem to be wrong and this seemingly 'hands off' approach by Farbrace and Robinson hasn't helped. We never hear anything about the input of Trott, Mason, Frost and Westwood - do they even work for us anymore?! It really is a shambles!

paulbear wrote:

Just looked at the scorecard, Woakes 67 from 97 balls. Also saw the name Maddy and thought "Surely not, he's still playing and involved with the 2nds", but it was the 2nd XI keeper.

Darren Maddy's son, George !

Yep, CW got 67, Dan Mousley, 125 (opening again - why he's not playing for the 1st's against Northants, I've no idea) and (Captain) Jake Lintott, 52 (again, surely, if Briggs was out, he should have been in at Northampton, as front line spinner ?).

I'd put money on the fact that Mousley will come in for Stirling - as opener - given his 198 a couple of days ago (admittedly in a red ball game).