Will Rhodes marked two major milestones during his impressive start to the 2024 Vitality County Championship; his 100th First Class game and 6,000 runs for the Bears.
The 29-year-old admits to being historically “slow out of the blocks” but there was no sign of winter rustiness as he cracked 12 boundaries on his way to posting 64 (92 balls) against Worcestershire.
It all started back on 22 March 2015 when Rhodes, just turned 19, made his First Class debut for Yorkshire on pre-season tour in the UAE against an MCC side featuring Alastair Cook and a certain Chris Rushworth.
He started in style, taking two wickets and second top scoring with 61.
The momentum has continued in a red ball career that’s yielded 5,270 runs at an average of 34.43.
“My 100th game wasn’t a classic,” said the 29-year-old, “but it was good to get off to a decent start as in the past I’ve tended to be slow out of the blocks.
“When I started with Yorkshire I was a young kid who got thrown in at the deep end, opening the batting when Adam Lyth was away with England.
“You learn your trade really quicky and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity Yorkshire gave me. I’ve had a fantastic career, played for two of the biggest counties in England, and I’m hoping to contribute plenty of runs and some match-winning performances this season.
“I might not get another 100 red ball games out of my body but I’ll enjoy every game I play and hopefully there will be plenty more to come.”
Rhodes – who stepped down as captain last autumn – is one of only seven Warwickshire captains to lift the County Championship having led the side since 2019, just a year after moving from his native Yorkshire.
He described his time at the helm as an “unbelievable honour” but said the time felt right to move aside and allow him to focus fully on his performances with both bat and ball.
“It felt strange not leading the team out, and it’s the first time I’ve fielded on the boundary in four years,” he joked.
“With captaincy comes lots of conversations about overseas players, signings, injuries, and selection so yes my head was clearer going into the game. Obviously I’ll help Al whenever he needs me, and I hope the experience I’ve gained as captain can help him and the side.
“I thought Davo did really well and kept his head during testing times in the game against Worcestershire, especially when Kashif Ali was batting well.
“One of the reasons I gave up the captaincy is that I felt the team was transitioning nicely and it was time to continue in that upwards direction, but with a different voice.
“The squad is in a good place. This is an ideal opportunity for Al to work with Robbo and Gavin Larsen to take us to the next level.”
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