Fast Bowler Craig Miles has joined the Bears from Gloucestershire and will link up with the squad when they return in November.
Fast bowler Craig Miles is “really excited” to have joined Warwickshire and is aiming to start next season the way he finished last – among the wickets.
Miles has joined the Bears from Gloucestershire for whom he took 31 wickets in the last six Specsavers County Championship games of 2018.
“I can’t wait to get going. Pop Welch is very highly-regarded as a bowling coach and has a track-record of bringing the best out of bowlers.
Craig Miles
The 24-year-old moves up from the westcountry alongside fellow seamer Liam Norwell, the pair having both signed three-year contracts at Edgbaston.
Although only 24, Miles has already played plenty of first-class cricket – 68 matches – as he heads into his peak years. A consistent wicket-taker for Gloucestershire in recent years, he showed his quality in the championship against the Bears at Edgbaston in August when his five-for including the rare, if not unique, feat of dismissing Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott in the same over.
“I’m really excited to be joining Warwickshire,” Miles said. “I played at Edgbaston for the first time this season and the stadium and the whole set-up was so impressive.
“I didn’t know then that I would be signing for the Bears, I was just trying to take wickets and do my best for Gloucestershire. But it was good to get some wickets and it was pretty special to get Bell and Trott out in the same over. They are such great players and having grown up watching them playing for England, especially in the Ashes, that is something I am quite proud of.
“I finished last season strongly and managed to take a few wickets in the closing games so now it’s a case of resting the muscles and having a bit of a relax before joining up with the Warwickshire guys in November.
“I can’t wait to get going. Pop Welch is very highly-regarded as a bowling coach and has a track-record of bringing the best out of bowlers so I’m really looking forward to working alongside him.”
All of Miles’ championship cricket so far has been in Division Two so he is looking forward to the challenge of Division One – and is also keen to figure for the Bears with the white ball.
“I have played quite a lot of four-day cricket for a 24-year-old but now I just want to try to push on to the next level,” he said. “I’m joining a club which is fresh from a very good season and used to winning championship matches. Division One will be challenging but, having not played there before, I am really looking forward to the challenge.
“I have played mostly red-ball cricket so far but am keen to play as much white-ball as I can. I don’t want to be a one-format bowler.
“I know guys like Dom Sibley and Will Rhodes from the age-group cricket because I am a similar age to them and am really excited to be joining them and hopefully being part of a lot success at Warwickshire well into the future. There are some really good younger players alongside some top-class senior guys so there is a great blend in the squad.”
