Latest news with #IanWestwood
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bears need experienced players back
Birmingham Bears first-team coach Ian Westwood has said having their more experienced players available in the coming days will help support some of the squad who are "learning on the job" in the early stages of the T20 Bears have lost both their opening group games in this year's competition - at Nottinghamshire by seven wickets, and at home to Durham by three all-rounder Beau Webster's involvement in the Blast ended by his call up by Australia and Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali's arrival delayed by his international commitments, the Bears opted not to bring in any short-term did sign trialist fast bowler Adam Sylvester until the end of the season, but he has struggled so far, returning figures of 0-50 from three overs against the Outlaws, with his only over against Durham going for 21."It's been a bit of a baptism for him, in terms of his figures," Westwood told BBC Radio WM."He hasn't had much luck and I think when you get someone who is inexperienced I think the opposition target that, which I think's happened."We've got a couple of guys trying to learn on the job which is never ideal in pressure games, which all these group games are." Sylvester, 25, earned his deal after several impressive T20 performances for the Bears' second XI and Westwood says the former Derbyshire quick has been a bit unlucky."It's fine margins - he's had a few nicked over slips and keeper and he's got a few wrong himself so it's fine lines," he said."He's learning on the job but he'll keep trying his heart out." Westwood also said they are yet to work out "the right role" for another of their fast bowlers, George former Sussex left-armer's two overs against Nottinghamshire cost 36 runs and he did not bowl against DurhamWestwood said that was down to the player carrying a slight hamstring issue."He was there if needed in the middle overs but we wanted him in there for his fielding - he's a good all-round package so we need to make sure we get him in the best place possible."We're going to try to see how best to use George. He's got so much quality with ball, bat and in the field, it's just finding the right role for him." The Bears are back in action on Friday against Yorkshire at Edgbaston (19:00 BST) and could have seamer Richard Gleeson available following his stint in the Indian Premier Ali arrives back in Birmingham on Friday, while Westwood is hoping all-rounder Dan Mousley might be made available by England Lions, having hit a century in their drawn first unofficial 'Test' against India A."We've got guys slowly coming back in over the next few games and are looking forward to getting some experience back," Westwood said."We've lost 12 banker overs there [with Gleeson, Ali and Mousley] but it's not an excuse, we've got a squad for a reason and we were confident of getting something from these two games."
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bears not looking to replace Webster & Ali for Blast
Warwickshire first-team coach Ian Westwood says the club do not intend to sign any short-term replacements for Beau Webster and Hasan Ali for the start of their T20 Blast Bears signed all-rounder Webster until the end of July but he will now miss the whole tournament after his call-up to the Australia squad for the World Test Championship and subsequent tour to the West bowler Ali will be unavailable for the first three Blast games after being given a central contract by the Pakistan Cricket leaves the Bears with New Zealand captain Tom Latham as their overseas player for the opening will take on Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in their first group game on Friday (18:30 BST). Westwood said being without Webster and Ali was not ideal but that he is happy with the squad he has."It's always a blow to lose skilful players, and big players, in your team. But we've got a squad for a reason and it gives others a chance to come in and show what they can do," he told BBC CWR."It's hard to bring someone in just for a couple of games. "My way is always to try to promote from within first, unless you're really in a hole, and we're happy with what we've got in the squad and think we can still compete really well."As the Bears begin preparing for another tilt at the Blast title they last won in 2014, their attempt to replicate their domination of the group stages in the knockout phase of the competition will come under the by eventual champions Gloucestershire in 2024 was the third quarter-final loss in as many seasons for the Bears, who have not reached Finals Day, held on their home ground, since said thinking about ending that recent last-eight hoodoo is not in their minds as they prepare for this year's tournament. "It's not. We've got a lot of work to just to get to that stage," he said."We can't take if for granted, the amount of effort needed to even qualify for the quarter-final."Our sole focus is to take it each game one by one and not look too far ahead."There's always expectation, we've got a good squad and we're excited about what we can do. So we'll be confident and ready to go."
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rushworth nears return to boost Warwickshire
Chris Rushworth has given Warwickshire an injury boost a week after leading wicket-taker Michael Booth was ruled out with a stress veteran seamer, 38, is nearing a return for the Bears and has been named in the squad for the Division One fixture against Hampshire at Edgbaston, starting who took 53 wickets in 2023 and 13 in an interrupted campaign restricted to six outings by injury last summer, has missed the start of this season with a calf Booth expected to be out until at least the end of July, Rushworth's return will replenish the Bears' fast bowling options if he is deemed sharp enough to start against Hampshire."It's good to have Rushy back in the squad," Warwickshire first-team coach Ian Westwood told the club website, external."We don't know yet if he'll play but he's going well in training, he's building back up, and has been progressing nicely with our strength and conditioning team."The news on Boothy came as a real blow. He's had a great start to the season, looking very sharp and has been among the wickets. He's in good hands and we hope to see him back as soon as possible."Warwickshire have had a good start to the County Championship season with two wins and three draws putting them second in the Division One table behind Nottinghamshire.
