Bears’ standout performers of 2024 have been recognized as players, Members and staff gathered for Warwickshire’s end of season awards.
A total of 11 awards – voted on by Club members – were presented to players from the Club’s men’s, women’s, seniors and disability sides.
Olly Hannon-Dalby – who surpassed 50 red ball wickets for the third straight season – rounded off his Testimonial Year by taking home the Vitality County Championship Player of the Season award.
Ed Barnard was named One Day Cup Player of the Year for the second successive season.
The 28-year-old was the competition’s leading wicket taker with 19 (15.68 ave) and among the top run scorers with 433 and an average of 61.85.
And new England Bear Jacob Bethell was voted Blast Player of the Year.
The 20-year-old – who was shortlisted for PCA Young Player of the Year – scored 361 Blast runs with an average of 36.10 and a Strike Rate of 153.61.
His 56 off 16 balls against Northants Steelbacks was among Bears’ season highlights, while his unbeaten 71 at local rivals Worcestershire Rapids was pivotal to a match-winning partnership with Sam Hain.
Warwickshire Captain Alex Davies won the Players’ Player of the Year accolade.
In his first year as County Championship skipper, Davies finished third top scorer in Division One with 1,115 runs – his best ever haul – and guided the Blast team to 10 wins from 14 in the North Group.
And in the only category voted on by Bears’ social media followers, Kai Smith’s dazzling 130 not out in the Metro Bank One Day Cup quarter final win against Worcestershire was a clear favourite Performance of the Year.
Warwickshire Chief Executive Stuart Cain, said: “There have been some notable successes this year but we’ve not been able to break into the top three and challenge for the County Championship title.
“Similarly in the Blast, it’s been mixed. We’ve smashed the North Group for the last two years, with some stunning performances, but not been able to make that last step to Finals Day.
“We wear the weight of expectation that comes with the Club’s history and we know we need to do better.
“It’s good to see the emergence of some extremely talented Bears in the last few years. And we’ve continued the proud Warwickshire tradition of providing England players. Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell and the latest two to be called into the men’s senior squad.
“We look forward and I know there’s lots of good work going on behind the scenes to give us a solid platform for success over the coming years.”
Che Simmons collected the Club’s Community Engagement Award for his work helping coach and mentor players in Warwickshire’s Access Team and regional Super 1s disability cricket hubs.
Warwickshire Access Player of the Year went to seam bowler Kyran Loxton, while Dean Wattison was awarded the Access Team’s Steve Carter Cup.
Warwickshire Women’s Players’ Player of the Season was captain Anisha Patel, who led her side to the national T20 Finals Day, and Player of the Season went to Ria Fackrell.
Veteran allrounder Mike Palmer won the Alan Oakman Award for best Warwickshire Seniors player having scored 289 runs (72.25 ave) and claimed 16 wickets for the Over-60s side.
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