Ed set to be exceptional – Farbrace

MOEEN Ali and Chris Rushworth might be the more eye-catching names on paper for Warwickshire as preparations get underway for the 2023 season, but all-rounder Ed Barnard is being tipped to achieve big things after also signing on at Edgbaston.

Barnard, 26, has signed for the Bears after his contract expired at rivals Worcestershire, bringing to an end a stay of more than 15 years at New Road.

He has scored almost 4,000 First Class runs at an average of 34 and has taken 261 wickets.

He does, though, have the ability to play in all formats of the game and certainly looks to be a really eye-catching addition.

While Ali and Rushworth are in the twilight of their careers, Barnard is very much coming into his prime.

Outgoing director of cricket Paul Farbrace believes that while for the time being Barnard’s name might not be spotlighted as regards to incoming arrivals, he does feel as though in the long-term he will prove to be the best of the additions made this winter.

“I think Ed perhaps goes under the radar in terms of players signed,” Farbrace said.

“I think Ed Barnard will prove to be an exceptional signing. I think he’s someone who has high ambitions.

“He wants to play for England and he wants to contribute in all forms of the game, and I think he will do.

“He’s very intelligent, he’s a very smart lad.

“Good knowledge of the game, he’s got a good experience but he’s at a good age.

“He knows that coming here is about performance and there will be a level of expectation on him.

“I think he could prove to be the best of the signings, I really do. Over the next five or six years, I think we’re going to see a fantastic performing cricketer in all forms of the game.

“He might have for now just gone under the radar in terms of that he’s not a big name.

“I wouldn’t mind betting, though, that in four or five years when we look back, we’ll say that he was the best of the signings in that group.”