Davies steps down as Bears’ captain 

Warwickshire County Cricket Club can confirm that Alex Davies has stepped down as Club Captain with Ed Barnard taking over the role across all formats. 

Davies was appointed First XI Captain ahead of the 2024 season and oversaw an improvement in the Rothesay County Championship, leading the Bears to improving Championship performances, as well as topping the Vitality Blast North group twice under his tenure, and back-to-back Vitality Blast Quarter-Finals. 

The 31-year-old topped the County Championship batting averages for the Bears in his first year as Captain, averaging over 50 with four centuries and three fifties, and added ten fifties and one century across formats in 2025. 

Davies said: “Captaining the Bears has been undoubtedly the proudest few years of my career to date. To be part of moulding and building a squad capable of winning trophies has been a real privilege.

“In order for that to happen, I believe I need to be firing on all cylinders with the bat and gloves, which is why I’ll be stepping down from the captaincy duties ahead of the 2026 season.

“I couldn’t be passing the Bears on to a better person in Ed. When asking him to be my vice captain two years ago, it was clear to me that one day he was going to be a great captain, and it’s his time now. I look forward to being there for him every step of the way should he ever need.

“I’d like to say thanks to all the players and staff for their unwavering support throughout my tenure, and look forward to still giving my all to the bears moving forward.”

Barnard will add County Championship and Vitality Blast captaincy duties to his existing role as Captain of the Metro Bank One Day Cup team, after serving as Vice Captain to Davies for the last two seasons. 

The 30-year-old has been a standout player since joining from Worcestershire in 2023, contributing wickets and runs across all three formats and was named captain of the PCA Men’s Team of the Year 2025, which is formed using the PCA’s MVP rankings to create an XI of the finest domestic players.

Barnard was exceptional all season and returned a career-best run tally in the County Championship of 922 runs. He also added 29 wickets to his magnificent red-ball campaign, and finished with 1,615 runs in all competitions with four hundreds.

Barnard said: “I’m very proud and honoured to be offered the chance to captain Warwickshire. I’m very aware of following in the footsteps of some great cricketers and people, and it’s humbling to be added to the list. I’ve really enjoyed working under Davo and hope to continue the progress the group has made over recent seasons. 

“We have built an impressive squad, and with further additions made this winter, the competition for places is greater than ever. I know the group feels we can push very hard for silverware this season.”

Ian Westwood, Bears’ Head Coach, said: “I’d firstly like to thank Davo for his commitment to the Captaincy role over the last couple of years. He has poured his heart and soul into leading the group. Even though he won’t continue in the role, we will benefit from having his experience and leadership qualities around the squad.

“Barney is a natural successor, and we are delighted he’s accepted the offer to become our next captain. He already has captaincy experience from leading the boys in 50-over cricket and is perfectly placed to take on the mantle in the County Championship and Vitality Blast. 

“He is not the loudest in the dressing room, but has the enviable quality of demanding respect through the way he conducts himself and offers his opinions in the right way. We’ve got a group who are growing in confidence from the pre-season tour to South Africa, and we’re raring to go with Barney at the helm.”