First-team coach Jim Troughton admits it was “quite frustrating” to see Warwickshire’s three-day friendly with Durham MCCU abandoned as a draw with no play possible on the third day.
The unseasonably wet Easter meant that not a ball was bowled on days two and three at Edgbaston, with any hopes of play on the third day scuppered by further heavy downpours at lunchtime.
The Bears did derive some value from the match with Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Adam Hose scoring good runs on the first day.
But the bowlers were denied much of a workout as the second and third days were lost completely.
“It has been quite frustrating,” Troughton said. “We knew from the bad forecast that the second day would be a washout but were hoping we’d get some decent time out there on the third.
“The umpires were not happy with some areas around the square though, so we will just have to hope the rain stops and try to get out there for some practice in the middle if we can.
it’s all about getting into good habits and the right processes
Jim Troughton
“It has meant the bowlers haven’t had a chance to get in the overs that we’d have liked, but the weather forecast is better for the rest of the week so hopefully we can get some really good practice in. Then we have a second-team friendly at Derby next week and we have already spoken to Derbyshire about the possibility of sending quite a strong team up there, ahead of the first championship game at the end of that week.”
The rain-affected tussle with Durham MCCU did at least provide good time in the middle for Trott and Bell, who scored centuries, an Hose who struck a stylish 68 in his first first-class innings for Warwickshire.
“That will have done those guys no harm at all,” said Troughton. “In the run-up to the season, as a batsman it’s all about getting into good habits and the right processes and they all did that faultlessly.
“It was a great start for Adam. He put one six into the top tier of the pavilion, just as he did on his T20 debut last year. He seems to like that tier – I think he’s got his sights set on sending one right over the pavilion at some point.”
Next Home Game
Warwickshire take on Sussex in the first Specsavers County Championship Division 2 clash of the season at Edgbaston on Friday 13 April. The match will see Jeetan Petal captain the team for the first time as the Bears aim for promotion into Division One. Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and under 16s are admitted FREE of charge when they are accompanied by an adult. Gates open at 10am, with the start of play scheduled for 11am.
