Ethan Bamber says he’s loving life as a new Bear – and that Birmingham already feels like home having moved north last month.
Former Middlesex fast bowler Bamber – who has almost 200 First Class wickets to his name – has signed a three-year, all-formats deal at Edgbaston.
The 25-year-old is now settled in a Jewellery Quarter apartment and has slotted seamlessly into the Warwickshire squad as players are put through their rigorous winter Strength & Conditioning programme.
“Everyone has been very welcoming,” said Bamber. “It’s a big move for me. The decision wasn’t made lightly, there were a lot of considerations. I’d only been to Birmingham a handful of times before so it was all going to be very new.
“But the guys have been great. Immediately I felt part of the team and Birmingham is already feeling like home. Although I did get horribly lost when I took my first look around the German Christmas Market a couple of days ago!
“It seems like a really close group of good people. It’s a privilege to come into that. I want to offer something to the group and that environment. People have taken time outside of cricket, in the evenings, and it’s made that integration easier.”
Bamber claimed 30 County Championship wickets in 12 games last season – and had a standout season in 2021 when bagging 52 wickets in just 12 matches.
He’s been raising eyebrows at Edgbaston by breaking the Bears 2km run record, in little over six minutes, and has also turned heads for another reason…his garish sock collection!
“I’ve got to convince people I’ve got a personality,” said a self-deprecating Bamber, “so I do have a loud sock collection. Penguins today, with it being Christmas and we’re in the German Market.
“The S&C team are putting us through our paces. It’s been tough but everyone is into a nice rhythm, there’s good energy in the camp.
“The cricket sessions are mainly 1-2-1s at the moment. We’ve got a nice block till Christmas, then a little break, and back in January. It’ll come around so quickly, I can’t believe the fixtures are already out.
“We’re working hard already in training, working towards one collective goal, and building relationships. All the hard work will pay dividends next summer I’m sure.”
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