Barker delighted with second Bears’ debut

Bears’ bowler Keith Barker was thrilled to get off to a winning start as he made his second debut for the club in the Rothesay County Championship victory against Essex.

The 39-year-old, eight years on from his last appearance for Warwickshire, rolled back the years as he took three wickets in his first over on Day Four to set the tone for the Bears to pick up their first win of the season at Edgbaston Stadium.

For Barker, he might be in the twilight of his career, but he is still relishing the opportunity to run in for the Bears and was delighted with his efforts in his first start of the season.

“It means everything. I’m just, well, happy to be still playing at this age. To be playing with a great set of lads and great coaching staff and being back where it all started for me is great. To get a win here, it’s unbelievable. I just hope we can keep going now.

“The nerves weren’t too bad, to be honest with you. I think I wanted to bowl day one just to get those nerves out of me, but I just thought I’d do what I can. Ended up batting and getting a few runs. I’d like to get more, but I was able to contribute and that’s the most important thing.

“I spoke to Pop Welch just about trying to stand the seam up a little bit more than what I normally do because I felt that was getting the ball to behave a little bit differently.

“I was trying to make sure my lines were good. Obviously getting a wicket first ball gets you going, gets your adrenaline going and then when you get gifted a catch at cover, that’s even better. I do remember walking back after, I think it was my fifth delivery thinking, oh, imagine if you got three in an over. I tried not to think about that, just bowl and then it happens. I was fortunate, but I think it helped us get on a roll and really got us focused on winning this game.”

Barker now hopes this victory can be a springboard for a good run of form and is enjoying his role as one of the senior bowlers within the squad.

“There’s hell of a lot of depth. It’s great to be a part of this, a good variety of age. I know I’m at the furthest part of that age group, but it’s good we’ve got some real good talent. Woakesy is absolutely amazing as well, and we can rotate as and when we please, so it keeps everyone fresh, so I’m happy to be a part of it and looking forward to working with the other lads as well.

“I think it’s good that we have lads that want to learn. Sometimes young lads can be quite stubborn and think they know it all, but this group is amazing, they all want to learn, they all want to work hard, they all want to get better. It makes it a lot easier when you’re stood at mid off or in practice and you’re chatting bowling, they’re all keen to learn and want to get the most out of their ability.”