Warwickshire will face Worcestershire in a three-day fixture before hosting Derbyshire in a 50-over match and Leeds/Bradford MCCU in a first-class affair.
Warwickshire will prepare for their Specsaver’s County Championship Division One return with three home fixtures.
The Bears, who kick-start the campaign at home to Kent on Thursday 11 April, will host Worcestershire in a three-day game on Tuesday 26 March before facing Derbyshire in a white ball 50 over fixture on Sunday 31 March and Leeds/Bradford MCCU in the annual university first-class match which starts on Friday 5 April.
It’s always exciting to see our pre-season games confirmed as well as a reminder that the season is not too far ahead.
Jim Troughton
All three matches will start at 11am and are free for supporters to attend in the Tom Dollery Lounge. Please note that the David Heath Suite will not be open.
“Following the New Year break, the squad have returned to Edgbaston to continue our preparations,” said first-team Coach Jim Troughton.
“It’s always exciting to see our pre-season games confirmed as well as a reminder that the season is not too far ahead.”
Troughton will also be hoping the weather is a lot kinder this year.
Last year’s scheduled friendlies were disrupted by an unseasonably wet Easter with only four sessions played from a trio of three-day matches.
“It is vital we get some competitive cricket in English conditions and hopefully the weather will look after us,” Troughton added.
“A three-day game against Worcestershire and a first-class fixture against Leeds/Bradford MCCU will put us in good stead for our exciting championship opener against Kent.”
One change to the pre-season schedule is the inclusion of a 50-over friendly against the Falcons.
This year the Royal London One Day Cup starts in April instead of the usual May block with the final taking place on Saturday 25th May.
Warwickshire’s first match is at home to Yorkshire on Friday 19th April – just five days after the County Championship opener.
“This year it will also be important to be ready earlier than usual for the 50-over campaign,” concluded Troughton.
“The match against Derbyshire Falcons will allow us to get some important practice in the format ahead of a fast-paced schedule.”
Before Christmas, both Surrey and Hampshire announced fixture changes to our Specsaver’s County Championship matches with both games starting 24 hours earlier.
The Bears trip to the Kia Oval will now start on Sunday 23 June, whilst our visit to the south coast will now take place on Saturday 6 July instead of Sunday 7 July.
