Bears can finish with a flourish insists Norwell
LIAM Norwell is looking ahead to the season’s run-in with huge excitement as Warwickshire prepare to sustain their challenge for silverware on two fronts.
The Bears face Kent at Canterbury in a Vitality Blast quarter final on Friday before returning to red-ball action with a visit to Lancashire in the LV-Insurance County Championship next Monday.
They will resume championship action in an excellent position, top of the table and more than 12 points ahead of three of the other five teams in the elite group.
The Bears have tons to play for at the business end of the season. When paceman Norwell joined from Gloucestershire in 2019 he cited a desire to be part of a team which wins trophies, so the coming weeks are exactly the scenario he had in mind.
“That was one of the lures of Warwickshire and hopefully we can put one or two trophies on the shelf in the next few weeks,” said the 29-yearold. “We are set up for a really exciting finale to the season.
“Kent are a very good team but we have plenty of T20 match-winners and to have players like Danny Briggs and Tim Bresnan with their experience and calmness is such a plus. If we can win down there, then to be part of Finals Day at Edgbaston would be amazing.
“The championship has worked out really well for us after the first stage so gives us a great opportunity. The top six are all strong teams so it will be tough cricket, but that’s what you want to be playing.
“Lancashire and Yorkshire are always strong at home but if we can nick a result in at least one of those games it would be brilliant. Our two home games will be really worth watching. Somerset have been one of the best sides in the country for the last few years and so have Hampshire with one of the best bowling attacks around.
“But we are top of the table on merit. The coach and captain have instilled real fighting spirit in the squad as we showed in the two wins over Notts and the win against Essex which was a very tight game for a long time. We know now that, even if we seem behind the eight-ball on day two, we can win matches. That’s something that Robbo has told us – always keep scrapping to stay in games… then you never know.”
Meanwhile, Warwickshire have snapped up West Indian fast bowler Chemar Holder for the remaining four LV= Insurance County Championship games and for the Bob Willis Trophy final should the Bears qualify.
The 23-year-old – who is currently with the West Indian Test squad as they host Pakistan in Kingston for their second Test – is due to fly to London on Friday in preparation for the Bears match against Lancashire.
A tall right-arm fast bowler, Holder took two wickets on his Test debut – when the Windies toured New Zealand in December 2020.
“We’re delighted to add Chemar to our bowling unit ahead of what is an exciting four games in the Championship,” said director of cricket Paul Farbrace.
“Chemar is a young, tall, fast bowler who will offer us something different as we look to build on our impressive start to the County Championship.
“In the red ball game Chemar has impressed internationally and domestically and I know he’s extremely excited to wear the Bear and Ragged Staff.
“I’d like to thank batsmen Hanuma Vihari and Pieter Malan for their contributions, and we look forward to welcoming Chemar very soon.”
Holder added: “Warwickshire is a fantastic club with a proud history of winning trophies and overseas stars.
“The Bears squad have a great opportunity to win a trophy this season and I can’t wait to contribute and help the team achieve their goals.
“I’m incredibly excited to test myself in such an illustrious competition.”