Revolution in full swing at Edgbaston
WARWICKSHIRE have agreed two-year contract extensions with Academy graduates George Panayi and Liam Banks and a one-year deal with Australian-born, Berkswell bowler Ryan Sidebottom.
Right-arm fast bowler Panayi, 19, made his debut in the day/night championship against Lancashire at Edgbaston in June and has made two first-class appearances to date. Having graduated from the Bears’ Academy last year, the Shrewsbury paceman has made three Test and a one-day international appearance for England Under-19s.
Batsman Banks, 18, joined the Academy in 2013 and graduated, with Panayi, to a development contract last season. Still to make his senior debut, he played one Test and five ODIs for England Under-19s earlier this summer against India.
He also joined West Bromwich Dartmouth from his home club of Hem Heath, in Staffordshire, earlier this year to play Birmingham & District Premier League cricket.
Sidebottom, 28, signed his first professional contract in early August after impressing for the second XI on trial. After starting the season with the reigning Birmingham League champions, he made his senior Bears debut in the championship victory over Middlesex at Lord’s and has taken 13 wickets to date in three appearances for the club.
Ashley Giles, the Bears’ sport director, said: “Our transformation process is very much under way and George, Liam and Ryan have important roles to play in helping the club return to challenging for honours across all formats.
“George experienced championship cricket earlier this summer and made a good impression, taking four wickets and bowling with good pace and control against international batsmen.
“Liam has shown great promise across all formats in the second team, with a stand-out innings of 181 against Derbyshire in the championship in May. His goal now is to push for a place in the first team by scoring heavily on a more consistent basis.
“Ryan has been excellent and we’ve been pleased with his performances in the championship games he’s played, with his wickets coming at an average of just 18.3.”