Sport director Ashley Giles has challenged Warwickshire’s senior players to hit form in 2018 and stake a claim to be part of a new era of success at the club.
The Bears’ first-team squad is in transition with new players having been recruited and home-grown youngsters given their chance in all formats. The new blood is now challenging hard for places among senior players, several of whom will be out of contract at the end of this year.
In terms of recruitment, we are always going to be in the market for the best players if they become available, but we have some very good players here already and the ball is in their court.
Ashley Giles
But as the transition process continues, those experienced players have a very important part to play in the 2018 season – and possibly beyond, insists Giles.
“Our senior players have a big role in what we are trying to achieve,” he said. “In terms of recruitment, we are always going to be in the market for the best players if they become available, but we have some very good players here already and the ball is in their court.
“A number of the guys are in the last year of their contracts so they have a lot to play for in 2018. If they want to be part of the Bears’ resurgence in the coming years, then show us.
“The last year of a contract does not mean endgame. It’s an opportunity for a player to show what he can do. Anyone who has a great year in 2018 is in the mix for another contract.
“These guys have been part of a lot of success for Warwickshire and have shown their quality over the years. Looking at the way they have worked in the winter, there seems plenty still in the locker, so we want them all to do well next season and give us some decisions to make in September.”
