Dom Sibley and Alex Davies starred with the bat as the Bears added more valuable time in the middle to their LV= Insurance County Championship preparations.
Hosting Worcestershire at Edgbaston and Edgbaston Sports Ground simultaneous, Warwickshire used the three days to replicate a traditional four-day format.
With a result in both fixtures unlikely, First Team Coach Mark Robinson will be pleased with both sides efforts ahead of the new campaign.
At Edgbaston, Dom Sibley continued his strong pre-season form with an unbeaten century (196 balls, 13 fours), whilst Captain Will Rhodes looked composed with a not out 76.
Just a few miles away, Alex Davies fell four short of a ton (96 runs, 149 balls, 14 fours) in the first innings and added 67 in the second as Olly Stone (65*), Adam Hose (66*), Matt Lamb (65*) and Ethan Brookes (50*) all contributed with the bat.
Stone – who captained the side and is slowly building up his recovery – opened the bowling in both innings, taking a wicket in the latter.
With wickets evenly spread across most of the squad, Ryan Sidebottom was the pick at Portland Road with first innings figures of three for 37.
Rhodes, Danny Briggs, Craig Miles and Che Simmons all chipped in with a brace as Warwickshire dismissed their rivals for 238 in front of a small crowd at Edgbaston.
Preview: Warwickshire v Worcestershire, Friendly
Warwickshire’s first team squad all have a chance to impress during simultaneous three-day friendlies against Worcestershire between Monday 28 and Wednesday 30 March.
Club captain Will Rhodes will lead the Bears against the Pears at Edgbaston while a 2nd XI fixture between the old rivals will take place in a parallel warm-up contest at the Edgbaston Community Sports Ground at Portland Road.
The Bears are straight back into action after a two-day warm-up against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge over the weekend in which several batters showed excellent form. On the first day, Dom Sibley made 65 (84 balls) and Matt Lamb 54 (89 balls) then on Sunday, Michael Burgess struck a fluent 60 (62 balls, ten fours, one six), supported by Rob Yates’ unbeaten 38.
In the unusually warm, dry, spring weather, bowlers have been denied the usual early season help from the conditions. They have all got valuable overs under their belts, though, and have started to loosen limbs ahead of the intense workload in the months ahead.
Jake Bethell delivered an impressive 14-1-38-1 at Trent Bridge and will lead the spin attack in the two-dayer at Portland Road while Danny Briggs and Jake Lintott form a fascinating spin pairing in the game at Edgbaston.
England paceman Olly Stone will play at Portland Road as captain though, still on the way back from long-term injury, as a batter only. Only seamers Liam Norwell (back spasm) and George Garrett (sore heel) are side-lined by injury.
Bears first team coach Mark Robinson said: “We had a good couple of days at Trent Bridge. It was another very good batting wicket and most of the batters have had some time at the crease this pre-season while the bowlers have got some overs in their legs.
“Now the two games against Worcestershire will give everyone an opportunity. Manraj Johal and Ethan Brookes come in for their first game of pre-season. Playing two games parallel is a really good concept. We tried it last year and it worked well and we are really fortunate to have two grounds where we know the pitches will be top-drawer.
Team (Edgbaston):
Will Rhodes (C) Chris Benjamin Danny Briggs Henry Brookes Michael Burgess (WK) Sam Hain Olly Hannon-Dalby Jake Lintott Craig Miles Will Rhodes Dom Sibley Rob Yates 12th man: Che Simmons.
Team (Edgbaston Community Sports Ground):
Olly Stone (C) Zaman Akhter Jacob Bethell Ethan Brookes Ollie Currill Alex Davies (WK) Adam Hose Manraj Johal Matt Lamb Dan Mousley Ryan Sidebottom
Entry is free for all spectators at Edgbaston Stadium, with entry available via the Main Reception. Food and drink will be available from the Tom Dollery Lounge, located on the second flood of the South Stand.
Bears Together: 2025 Membership
It’s an historic year for the Club in 2025, as Bears Men and Women will compete side-by-side. Bears together.
Join the journey with Early Bird Memberships on sale now, including 1882 Full Club (all domestic cricket), our new B5 White Ball (T20, 50-Over and The Hundred) and Junior Bears (U16s).
We use cookies to enhance your experience. By using our website, you agree to our cookies use. Read more.AcceptReject
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.