Bears talisman Olly Hannon-Dalby has been awarded a Benefit Year by Warwickshire in recognition of his outstanding service to the Club over the last decade.
The popular Yorkshireman – who recently surpassed 500 career wickets – has been the bedrock of the Bears bowling attack in recent seasons having moved to Edgbaston from his home county in 2013.
The 6ft 8ins seamer totals 450 scalps for Warwickshire across all formats and has been the Club’s leading red ball wicket taker in each of the last two seasons.
His haul of 54 LV= Insurance County Championship wickets made him Division One’s fourth leading bowler this summer, while he topped the Metro Bank One Day Cup wickets table with 24 at an average of just 13.20.
But it’s OHD’s off-field contributions that’s also been acknowledged with the award of his Warwickshire testimonial.
Olly regularly coaches the Club’s Youth Pathway youngsters, helps with the Disability Access side, and volunteers support for countless community initiatives.
“I couldn’t be prouder to be given a benefit year,” said the 34-year-old. “To get this pat on the back from the Club is very humbling. It’s been my privilege to contribute to Warwickshire over the years and I’ve loved every minute.
“I owe a lot to the Club. I came to Warwickshire in 2013 when, being honest, no other club had shown an interest after I left Yorkshire. Warwickshire took a bit of a chance on me. Dougie Brown, Pop Welch (former Bowling Coach Graeme ‘Pop’ Welch) they had a bit of a punt on me.
“I think my first contract was just 6 months. If you’d have told me, when I first walked through those gates, that I’d get a benefit year I wouldn’t have believed you. All I was thinking about initially was clinging on for the first six months!
“I still think I’ve got a lot to give on the field, my last two seasons have been my best here in terms of wickets taken, so I’m looking forward to lots more success with the Bears.
“My Benefit Year will be a celebration of Warwickshire Cricket. I want to enjoy it. I’ve got a great relationship with a lot of the members here, so hopefully say a big thank-you to them at events through the year, and I’ll be supporting some of the great charities based here in Birmingham. Hopefully I can raise lots of money for good causes.”
Events planned for Olly’s testimonial include gala dinners, a golf day, a dedicated WCCC members event, a pro-celebrity cricket game at Edgbaston, and charity fundraisers.
Warwickshire Chief Executive Stuart Cain, said: “Olly is fully deserving of his Benefit Year: he’s a made an incredible impression on Warwickshire in his 10 years here both on and off the field.
“He’s always the first to volunteer to support Club and community events and has developed a great rapport with the staff and members.
“His last two seasons with the ball have been incredible, taking more than 100 County Championship wickets. We all hope he’ll stay with us for a good few more seasons to come.”
For more information on Olly’s Benefit Year visit www.ohd2024.co.uk.
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