Rhodes loves the team effort following third win

Will Rhodes believes everyone is chipping in as the Bears continued their strong start to the LV= Insurance County Championship campaign.

Will Rhodes believes everyone is chipping in as the Bears continued their strong start to the LV= Insurance County Championship campaign.

Saturday’s run chase, which resulted in a three-day victory over Essex – one of the pre-season favourites, has ensured Warwickshire sit in second ahead of the Vitality Blast season.

With three wins from five, and only rain denying a likely victory at Somerset in the opening fixture, the Bears are rightly confident.

“We’re pleased. We only had two wins last summer, so to have more at this stage is fantastic,” said the Captain. “The boys have played some good cricket in the past month and a half and we’ve beaten some good teams along the way.

“Five of the top six have got 90 plus scores and they can take confidence from that, whilst OHD and Rushworth have played all five games and bowled well on some heavy ground, so they’ll get a deserved rest. Yatesy and Burgess are two of the best catchers behind the sticks, plus there’s Hainy and Mousley, so we’ve got a nice cordon going on there.

“We’re just taking each block of games as a mini-series throughout the year and I’m sure the Members are enjoying what we’re producing. The crowd gave us a buzz on that final day and they’ll always back us. Yes, they’ll let us know when we’re playing poorly, but that’s good.

“If we keep doing the basics well, doing the right things, we’ll keep picking up points along the way.”

The batter in the top six without a 90-plus score is the speaker in question.

The Skipper is naturally frustrated but always honest, and he hopes his 63 in the first innings – the highest score in the match – and 29 in a difficult run chase will give him confidence.

“I’ve been a little bit short of runs, but that can happen,” the 28-year-old added. “I know there’s a few things I can work on during this T20 period and I have got the experience to get through it. Hopefully, when we played Notts in a few weeks those things are rectified.

“I contributed to the game and I was pleased to get some in the second innings to help us get over the line. It would have been nice to be there at the end, but credit to Barney and Briggs who have been in that position many times.

“You’ll always be remembered for scoring runs,” he added after passing 6,500 career runs. “It would be nice to tick off some more milestones in all formats this year as I feel I’m playing nicely.

“I just need to keep working hard on my game. There are a few youngsters, such as Bethell, Mousley and Yates, who have excellent games and a bright future. Hopefully, they won’t keep me out of the team just yet and I can get some more.”