Birmingham Bears have announced the return of Carlos Brathwaite as T20 overseas player and men’s team captain for the entire Vitality Blast campaign in 2022.
West Indies all-rounder Brathwaite helped the Bears to a first quarter-final in four years in his debut Blast season with the Club.
As captain in 2022, he will be available for all group games and the knockout stages, should the Bears qualify for the quarter-finals and subsequently Finals Day at their home ground of Edgbaston.
“Carlos gets exactly what we are trying to achieve in T20 cricket,” said Director of Cricket, Paul Farbrace. “We want to play brave and entertaining cricket, that gets the crowd excited, and there’s never a dull moment with Carlos with either bat or ball in his hand. He’s a match winner.
“Since joining earlier this year, Carlos has been a great addition to the dressing room and he is popular with all of the squad. He has also captained West Indies and the Patriots in the CPL and his experience of playing, and winning, some of the biggest short form tournaments in the world has been invaluable in supporting the development of our young players.
“In making this decision, we as a cricket management team also believe that Carlos taking over as T20 skipper removes some pressure from Will Rhodes as Club captain, and Will can play with a lot more freedom as a result. Will has certainly taken us forward in T20 cricket over the last two years and he has a lot to offer as a player in the shortest format of the county game.”
Braithwaite was the leading wicket taker for the Bears in the 2021 Vitality Blast, taking 18 scalps at an average of 17.61.
He scored 183 runs with the bat, including 52 in an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 104 with Sam Hain to secure a home win over local rivals Worcestershire Rapids, and smashed 44 off 18 balls in the 18-run win over Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
“I’ve loved being a Bear,” said Brathwaite. “There’s a lot of talent in the dressing room and we showed last year that we can beat any team in the competition on our day.
“Edgbaston is a very special place to play at and it was great to get a taste of the atmosphere last year. Hopefully we can welcome thousands more fans to get the Eric Hollies Stand rocking next year and make Edgbaston the real fortress for the Bears which it’s renowned for.”
Carlos Brathwaite
Bears fixtures for the 2022 season are set to be released by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) later this year with all Vitality Blast group games being played between late May and early July, before Finals Day on Saturday 16 July.
Fans can save up £90 on the match day price with a T20 Season Pass, covering all seven Vitality Blast home games at Edgbaston for just £85.
For more information about T20 Season Passes, please visit edgbaston.com.
Blast Pass – All T20 games in 2025 for £90
Watch all Bears home Vitality Blast matches in 2025, both Men and Women, plus Vitality Blast Off, for only £90 with a Blast Pass.
Pass holders will also get a host of benefits, including a free guest pass. With more double-headers planned, get even more action for your money next summer and make Edgbaston your home.
