New lead pathway performance coach excited by Bears’ young talent

Warwickshire have appointed ex-Worcestershire youth coach Andy Sutton as the Club’s new Head High Performance Coach for its pathway programme.

And he’s got high hopes for the exciting crop of Bears’ youngsters under his tutelage.

Andy played a key role in the New Road youth system over nine years and helped the likes of Jack Haynes – who recently made his England Lions debut – plus fast bowlers Mitchell Stanley and Dillon Pennington break into the senior ranks.

He also supported Sam Hain during the teenager’s formative years in English cricket having captained him at Birmingham Premier League side Barnt Green.

And the 37-year-old is excited at working with boys in Warwickshire’s pathway, Emerging Player Programme and Academy.

“There are some great prospects in the youth structure here and my role will be to help them not only become professional cricketers but to play at the highest level on the international stage. I want to find the next Sam Hain, Dan Mousley or Jacob Bethell and I’m confident the ability is here in the pathway system.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved at Worcestershire – alongside coaches Ryan D’Oliviera and Kevin Sharp, plus Pathway Director Elliott Wilson – and playing my part in bringing a succession of players through from a young age into the senior squad.

“But I’m now ready for a fresh challenge and to start a new chapter with Warwickshire. I never got to play at Edgbaston but helping young players achieve their goals of playing at this great venue is the next best thing for me.”

Right arm pace bowler Andy, from Malvern, joined the MCC Young Cricketers scheme as an 18-year-old before signing for Somerset in 2007. 

He played a handful of first team games for Somerset before heading to Australia for Grade Cricket and more recently into coaching.  

But he’s certainly still got it on the field.

Last year he was the leading wicket taker in the Birmingham Premier League with 76 scalps for Barnt Green – and named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) – as they claimed second place in the league and runners-up in the national T20 cup competition.

And Wisden also included him in their ECB Club Team of the Year.

“I should have retired on that,” joked Andy, who also coached Worcester’s Second XI and helped with the first team squad. “But I’ve decided to go again this season and hopefully help Barnt Green go one better in the league.

“I’ve played against guys like Dan Mousley, Hamza Shaikh and the Brookes brothers in the Birmingham league so there will already be quite a few familiar faces at Edgbaston.

“Warwickshire is a fantastic Club with a great history. I can’t wait to get started and play a part in the Bears future success.”