Warwickshire excited by challenge of facing champions Surrey

Warwickshire First Team Coach Mark Robinson said his players are eagerly awaiting the challenge of facing LV= Insurance County Championship Division One favourites Surrey when the title holders arrive at Edgbaston this week.

Surrey – led by England opener Rory Burns – are tipped by bookmakers to make it two titles on the bounce following 2022’s triumph.

They posted an early season statement of intent by beating Hampshire last time out – guided home by Ollie Pope’s unbeaten second innings 122 – and Robinson knows the game will act as a barometer of his side’s progress.

Warwickshire have enjoyed an equally impressive start to the red ball campaign having beaten Kent by an innings and 14 runs at Edgbaston two weeks ago and only rain denying Will Rhodes’ men a likely victory at Somerset in the opening round of fixtures.

Robinson is buoyed by the way his seam attack has gelled – with overseas signing Hassan Ali settling well, Chris Rushworth taking wickets, and Chris Woakes returning – and some blistering batting performances.

He said: “The boys have done well. We’ve already got a few hundreds under our belt (Hain 165 & 119, Davies 118, Yates 128) which is brilliant, the bowling unit is gelling and we’ve caught well behind the wicket.

“Yes we’re only two games in but we couldn’t have asked for a much better start and we’ve laid on some great entertainment for our supporters.

“Surrey are a big club with three overseas bowlers, current and former England players, and they’re the champions so it’s a good test for us.

“But the overriding emotion for me and the players is excitement; we want to take on the best and test ourselves.

“Is the match a barometer of where we’re at as a team? Yes it will be, but the game won’t define our season.

“If we win it doesn’t mean we’re certain to go on and win the Championship and likewise if we lose it won’t end our chances. But it’ll be a good test of how we perform under pressure.

“We’ve had a week off and that recovery period has helped especially for the bowlers. It was hard work for them against Kent, the ground was heavy, so the break has been good to rest those calves and hamstrings that take the brunt of the conditions.”

Robinson expects to name a largely unchanged squad for the Surrey game but one name that will be missing is Jacob Bethell.

The young all-rounder – who made his England Lions debut this year – has been diagnosed with a stress fracture to his back and, while it won’t require surgery, it means he’ll need time out to recover.

“The prognosis is that he won’t be able to bowl again this summer which is a real blow because he’s a genuine all-rounder,” confirmed Robinson. “Hopefully he’ll be able to play at some point with the bat alone as I’m told that won’t affect the injury.

“We’re all hurting for him and have our fingers’ crossed for a speedy recovery. But we have strength in the side and it means there is an opportunity for somebody else to step forward and impress.

“Elsewhere, Liam Norwell needs a little more time before he can return to bowling and Danny Briggs is close to full fitness and will come into consideration.”