Warwickshire County Cricket Club opening bowler Olly Hannon-Dalby is looking forward to the return of red-ball cricket, as the Bears prepare to take on Yorkshire this week at Scarborough, in the latest round of Rothesay County Championship fixtures.
The Bears have made a strong start in their quest for an eighth County Championship crown, earning two wins, three draws and a solitary loss from their opening six fixtures to sit third in the Division One table.
After a three-week break, where the Vitality Blast has taken centre stage, four-day cricket returns, with Hannon-Dalby looking to pick up where he left off last time out, surrounded by a high-quality bowling unit.
“We’ve got some fantastic young bowlers,” he said. “It would be unfair to name anyone, but the bowling talent we have here and the bowling squad we’ve got is absolutely awesome.
“We have experience in me, Chris Woakes and Keith Barker as well. They’re both absolutely awesome.
“To hopefully think we can help these young players along and teach them a thing or two about the game, it’ll leave the club in good stead in years to come.”
Hannon-Dalby began the season on loan at local rivals Worcestershire, taking 11 wickets in four games before being recalled ahead of the visit of Yorkshire to Edgbaston at the start of May.
The 36-year-old, who went past 600 career wickets while at the Rapids, made an instant impact on his return, taking seven wickets in the match to inspire the Bears to a dominant victory over the White Rose in his first game back.
“I think the game is constantly testing you,” he added. “You’ve always got something to prove.
“The start of the season, beginning at Worcester, it wouldn’t have been how I planned it in September last year, but it was nice to go and play some First Class cricket.
“To then come back here, bowl well and take some wickets has been pleasing, so it’s worked out really well.”
Play gets under way between Warwickshire and Yorkshire at Scarborough at 11:00am on Friday 12 June. The teams will be announced at the toss.