Briggs: “There is no better place to play than Edgbaston”

England spinner Danny Briggs admits Warwickshire's "ambition" to bring more success to Edgbaston in the coming seasons was a big factor in his decision to move from Sussex.

The Isle of Wight-born slow left-armer has signed a three-year contract with the Bears, extending an 11-year county career which began with Hampshire before his switch along the south coast to Sussex.

He arrives with a track record of success, having been part of two T20 Blast triumphs with Hampshire whom he also helped lift the One-Day Cup. The 29-year-old has also played seven T20 Internationals and one One-Day International for England.

To Briggs falls the challenge of following departing club legend Jeetan Patel at the head of the Bears’ spin attack. He has big shoes to fill, but it is a challenge which excites him and which he is well-equipped to meet.

“Jeetan was a great player for the Bears and they are big shoes to fill, but I know my game well enough now and I know I can do a good job,” Briggs said. “I am really excited by the move. Listening to Paul Farbrace, I was attracted by the ambition he has for the club and what they could do and where they are at the moment. That ambition fits in with my own in terms of playing all forms of cricket and contributing as much as possible.

“There is a lot of talent in the Bears’ squad and a core of young players as well. I’d like to be a good senior pro in the changing room and contribute where I can. I think I have still got a lot to offer in red-ball cricket. I didn’t quite get that opportunity at Sussex but there is definitely a gap at the Bears for me to do well and there is no better place to play than Edgbaston.”

Briggs arrives as the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Vitality Blast.

“That is something I am proud of,” he said. “I guess it shows I have been consistent for a while now.

“I will be looking to bring that to the Bears and add to the Twenty20 team and I’ve also played a fair few games now, so can add some experience to the side and get us winning games and through to the knockout stages.

“I just can’t wait to get going. This has been a weird seasons, just a couple of months, and it’s gone in the blink of an eye, so I think people are already looking forward to next year and someone in my position, with a new club to play for, even more so.”