Warwickshire County Cricket Club has agreed rookie contracts with Academy fast bowler George Garrett and seam bowling all-rounder Ethan Brookes, whilst batsman Rob Yates has been upgraded to win his first full-time professional contract. Additionally, young fast bowler George Furrer has also signed his first professional contract.
Right-arm fast bowler Garrett (19) recently became the third member of the Warwickshire Academy – alongside Yates and Dan Mousley – to make his First Class debut in 2019 following his selection in the Specsavers County Championship game with Somerset at Edgbaston earlier last week.
To see four players promoted from our Academy to professional contracts in a year demonstrates the great work that has been undertaken recently in our pathway.
Paul Farbrace
Having attended Shrewsbury School and currently playing club cricket for Birmingham & District Premier League side Shrewsbury CC, Garrett has signed a one-year rookie contract that is designed to work around his studies at the University of Birmingham.
Younger brother of Bears fast bowler Henry Brookes and a fellow member of Knowle & Dorridge CC, right-arm seam bowler and right-hand batsman Ethan (18) has signed a two-year rookie contract to graduate from the Warwickshire Academy.
Yates (19) scored his maiden First Class century for the Bears in the Championship game at home to Somerset and has scored 547 First Class runs to date in 10 games, whilst also contributing 66 on his first team debut for Warwickshire versus Leicestershire in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Whilst being upgraded from a rookie contract to a full playing contract, the former Warwick School and currently Moseley CC left-hand batsman will also have the support of the club in completing his studies at the University of Birmingham.
Fast bowler Furrer (20) was born in London, but grew up in Australia with a British passport, representing Eastern Suburbs in the grade cricket system in Sydney before returning to the UK earlier this year for a three-week trial in Warwickshire’s Second XI.
He has signed a two-year contract after making an immediate impression at Edgbaston.
“To see four players promoted from our Academy to professional contracts in a year – with Dan Mousley being the addition – demonstrates the great work that has been undertaken recently in our pathway,” said Warwickshire’s Sport Director Paul Farbrace.
“We’ve committed to giving all academy members a good opportunity in our Second XI this season and we’ve seen some great results. George Garrett in particular has bowled superbly and thoroughly deserved his chance to step up to the first team this week.
“Rob has also grasped his opportunity in the first team with both hands. He has excellent character and I expect his century last week to be the first of many that we see from him in a Warwickshire shirt.
“It’s also really pleasing to discover a young player like George Furrer, who has good pace and has also bowled well, alongside Ethan in the Second XI.
“All four players have great potential and can form a key part of Warwickshire and Birmingham Bears teams for many years to come.”
