Warwickshire County Cricket Club sit second in Division One of the Rothesay County Championship after six games of the season, just five points off top spot. With a three-week break in the competition’s schedule, here are four things you may have missed through the first half of the campaign…
Bamber brilliance
Ethan Bamber has made a sensational start to the 2026 season. The right arm opening bowler has taken more wickets than anyone else in Division One so far, doing so in impressive fashion. In total, he’s taken 29 wickets an average of 22.27. Incredibly, Bamber’s 220 overs bowled is the most in the league, and he’s done it whilst going at just 2.93 runs per over. Before the contest with Glamorgan, where Bamber took eight wickets in the match, he was awarded the White Bear, recognising his role as an established player within the First Team ranks.
Fortress Edgbaston
It’s been an excellent start to the Bears’ season, with the team in a great position to challenge for a first title in five years when the competition returns. A lot of that is down to their form at The People’s Home of Cricket, where they’ve played four times so far. Dan Mousley struck 144 in the team’s season-opening draw against Surrey, before the Bears picked up a first win of the season at home to Essex two weeks later. In a low-scoring affair, Warwickshire were able to bowl Essex out for 164 on the final day thanks to a Keith Barker four-fer. A stunning 377-run win against a dangerous Yorkshire side followed, before a draw last week against Glamorgan consolidated second place in the table. In all four games at Edgbaston Stadium, the Bears have gone into the final day with a chance of victory.
Hain in the runs
While Bamber has led the way with the ball, Sam Hain has been in outstanding form with the bat for the Bears. After hitting 94 against Surrey in the first game of the season, he followed that up with a vital 88 against Essex two weeks later, in a low-scoring game that the Bears would win by 41 runs. In the 377-run win against Yorkshire, Hain was at it again, showcasing all of his fight in testing conditions to score 57 in the first innings before cutting loose in the second to fire an unbeaten 164. Hain has 435 runs at an average of 62.14 so far this season.
Captain’s knock
Ed Barnard took over the reins as Warwickshire County Cricket Club captain from Alex Davies prior to the start of the new campaign, and it’s been an encouraging start to life as the Club’s skipper. Having overseen the team’s strong start to the season, Barnard has played his part with both bat and ball, amassing 348 runs and taking nine wickets. Included in that run haul was Barnard’s first hundred as Captain. With his side 97 for four against last year’s champions and current league leaders, Nottinghamshire, Barnard’s 165 from 217 balls saw his side to a total of 459, in an innings that gave his team a chance at victory.