Robinson: “It’s been a tough few days”

First Team Coach Mark Robinson spoke following his side's defeat at Durham in the LV= County Championship.

Heading into the fixture at Emirates Riverside, Warwickshire were in high spirits after topping the table with back-to-back victories over Nottinghamshire and Essex.

But on a difficult morning with tough batting conditions, the Bears were put in after losing the toss and were unavailable to get a foothold in the game.

“It’s been a really tough few days,” said Robinson. “That was a bad toss to lose and we never got on an even keel from that point onwards. 

“It obviously did a hell of a lot in that first hour, and the wicket settled down to an extent, but there was always a ball in it that had a batter’s name on it.

“We’ve been totally outplayed and I can’t wrap it up any other way than that really. In bitterly cold weather we fielded for 140 overs and not put the opposition through the same pain and misery, so we’ve had a miserable first few days.”

Next up are local rivals Worcestershire at Edgbaston on Thursday 6 May. The Pears are likely to pick up their fourth draw in succession, but the First Team Coach believes the squad should concentrate on themselves.

“I just concentrate us,” Robinson added after tasting defeat for the first time.

“We’ll deal with Worcester probably more Tuesday, but it’s all about us and making sure we’re in the right place. We learn our lessons from this game and we look to get better on a daily basis. That’s what we’re asking from all the individuals. 

“We’ll meet Worcester on Thursday and we’ll try win that first half-hour, that hour, that first session, first day and we’ll do it bit by bit.”

Whilst play continued in Durham, there was positive news back at Edgbaston. Overseas signing Pieter Malan, who had been in quarantine following visa issues, is now preparing for next week’s match.

“He’s out of quarantine and got his track and trace done,” Robinson concluded.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to get him on grass so he’s hitting in the indoor school with Westy (Ian Westwood) today, he’s going to have a bat in the indoor school with Trotty (Jonathan Trott) on Sunday and me on Monday. 

“I’ll talk to him when I meet him on Monday and see where he is and hopefully he’ll be in the mix for the game on Thursday.”