First Team Coach Mark Robinson admitted his Warwickshire side weren’t at their best in the Vitality County Championship curtain raiser against Worcestershire.

But after a pre-season hampered by wet weather, Robinson believes his side will be better for the game and takes several positives from the derby draw as he prepares for the visit of Durham on Friday.

“I’m a bit disappointed by how we bowled,” said Robinson. “We were probably out-bowled by Worcestershire so credit to them. We’ll be better for the game and I thought we grew into it as the match went on.

“Rhodesy and Barney bowled well. Boothy got a debut wicket, I’m delighted for him, he bowled with good pace. Olly and Rushy bowled well as the game went on so it’ll hold them in good stead.

“It was hard with the Kookaburra ball. When wet it goes soft and you can’t get shine on it. Bowling teams out is quite hard when it’s like that. You need straight fields or express pace, and short balls to get people out. Dry conditions will be helpful next weekend!

“We’ll take stock and start planning tactics ahead of the next match.”

Robinson also gave an update on Liam Norwell who was forced to pull out of the squad on the morning of the game through injury.

“Liam felt something on the morning of the match. He’s gone for a scan. We’ll wait to see the diagnosis but I expect he could be out for a few weeks. 

“But one piece of good news is that it’s not a recurrence of the bulging disc in his back that kept him out for the entirety of last season.”

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