Ground: Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham
Captain: Alex Davies (CC/ODC), Moeen Ali (T20)
2023 results: CC1: 4/10; ODC: Semi-finalists; T20: Quarter-finalists
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A strong 2023 was tinged with frustration that the Bears could not land a white-ball trophy despite dominating the group stages, suffering a last-ball defeat against Essex in the Blast quarter-finals before being dismissed for 93 in front of their home fans during the 50-over semi against Hampshire. After flirting with Championship relegation the previous year, the 2021 county champions were back among the title contenders last summer. Will Rhodes called time on a successful four-year reign as captain in November, with batter-keeper Alex Davies succeeded him. Davies will hope for more from a batting lineup which underperformed last summer, though he can count on a vastly experienced newball pair in Oli Hannon-Dalby and Chris Rushworth – 107 scalps between them in 2023 – as well as Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali, who has re-signed until the end of July at least. New recuit George Garton [below-right] provides further cover, with injury-plagued Liam Norwell yet to bowl a ball since taking 9 for 62 on the final day of the 2022 season. Allrounder Ed Barnard had surgery on his shoulder over the winter but is hopeful of being fit for April.
THE VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX CLIVE EAKIN, BBC CWR
After avoiding relegation from the championship’s first division at the last gasp in the most dramatic of circumstances in 2022, fourth place last season feels like decent progress. For a while Warwickshire looked like title contenders but fell away somewhat due to a lack of consistency, not helped by injury problems. Olly Hannon-Dalby beat Chris Rushworth by one to be top wicket taker, both passing the 50 mark. The pair could be rivalled by Hasan Ali if the Pakistan international is available for a good chunk of the season. Sam Hain will be favourite to be top run scorer. With the white ball the Bears had a frustrating 2023 in that they dominated the group stages of both competitions but fell at the knock out hurdle in each.
TWO TO LOOK OUT FOR
Hasan Ali made a big impression last summer, indeed he arguably did too we
