‘IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY DREAM TO PLAY FOR WARWICKSHIRE’
STAFFORDSHIRE seamer Manraj Johal has been handed his first professional contract by Warwickshire.
The 19-year-old first linked up with the Bears in the under-11s age group and has progressed through the county’s Emerging Player Programme and Academy.
He has been forced to overcome setbacks, but his determination to succeed has now seen him join the pro ranks at Edgbaston.
Johal, who plays his club cricket for West Bromwich Dartmouth alongside former Staffordshire captain Kadeer Ali, made his minor counties debut last summer.
He was picked for the winnertakes-all Eastern Division Championship game against Norfolk at Longton - and claimed four wickets as Staffordshire finished top of their section.
Johal kept his place for the Championship final against Berkshire at Banbury.
He added five more victims to his county tally, but Staffs suffered an agonising one-wicket defeat in a lowscoring contest.
Warwickshire’s high performance manager, Paul Greetham, said: “During his time in the pathway, Manraj has shown how determined he is to reach it to the top and he has also proved that he could overcome notable setbacks along the way.
“During lockdown he got stronger and fitter than ever by getting out running along the canals and by working on his skills by bowling to his Dad in his garden.
“Four years ago he was deselected from the EPP, but reacted by winning his place back the following year by having an excellent season in the county age groups and in the additional skill set groups.
“He has demonstrated the character, skill sets and resilience that we want to see in a Warwickshire cricketer and whilst we have high hopes for him with the ball, Manraj offers a lot with the bat and is strong in the field.
“Manraj has worked very hard to earn this rookie contract and it’s for him now to grasp this opportunity and to prove that he can make it in the professional game.”
Johal says he has fulfilled his dream by being handed professional terms by the Bears.
He told the Warwickshire website: “I’ve always played cricket ever since I could remember and it’s always been my goal to play for Warwickshire.
“I’ve worked hard to earn this initial contract and I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me in the pathway.
“I fully appreciate that there’s a lot more tough yards ahead to make it as a Bear, but I’m going to give it everything and can’t wait to get started when we return to training next month.”
Warwickshire second-team coach Ian Westwood, who has overseen Johal’s development, believes the young seamer’s dedication will stand him in good stead.
“Manraj has a nice repeatable action with a good heavy ball and he has impressed us at every opportunity when he has been around the professional ranks,” he said. “He bowled a lot of overs last year and showed real promise in his performances in the Second XI and for Staffordshire.
“We invited him on this year’s pre-season tour at La Manga Club and then into the July training programme where he also performed well.
“Throughout last winter and
ahead of this recent season, he has put himself forward for extra sessions, but he has also shown an understanding of how a fast bowler should prepare by dedicating a lot of time to his strength and conditioning.
“We’re delighted to see him come through into the senior men’s squad and are very excited about his potential.”