Sport Troughton’s salute after Bears collect big victory
WARWICKSHIRE first-team coach Jim Troughton saluted “a great collective effort” which lifted his team to an innings-and-48-run victory over Northamptonshire at Northampton.
The Bears’ season is up and running in earnest after they completed the most emphatic of wins inside three days on Sunday.
They made light of the loss of injured frontline bowlers Olly Stone and Keith Barker as Ryan Sidebottom and Henry Brookes came into the side and had excellent games.
Sidebottom finished with match figures of ten for 96 while Brookes took three wickets and scored a match-changing 70 with the bat.
“It was a good, solid three days of hard work and good cricket by the guys and they thoroughly deserved the win,” Troughton said. “It was a great collective effort.
“Ryan and Henry came in and responded with excellent performances along with Matt Lamb, who batted very well to thwart the Northants bowling attack at a crucial time. Matt laid a platform, along with Sam Hain and Will Rhodes, which allowed Tim Ambrose and Henry to bat us into a really strong position.
“I’m also really happy for Jeets for getting his first win as captain. He bowled really well too and we had to work for
This win is a start. That’s all it is, but we have a good, solid points haul and also scored 400 runs which was a really good effort.
it on the last day. Josh Cobb and Adam Rossington put on a partnership that kept us waiting but we kept our cool and kept hammering away. Chris Wright put in a great shift for us and created openings just before lunch and tea. Everybody did their jobs.
“We all know what happened last year and we have talked a lot about that and how we need to put it to bed. This win is a start. That’s all it is, a start, but we have a good, solid points haul and also scored 400 runs which, on that wicket, was a really good effort.”
It will also be a chance for Wasps fans to bid farewell to Guy Thompson and 26-year-old Sam Jones, who has had to retire from the game due to a multiple leg and ankle injury.
Neal Coupland, Marketing Director for Wasps and the Ricoh, said: “We’ve seen a surge in ticket sales over the last week as awareness spreads of just how big this game is for the club.
“A bonus point victory on Sunday could be enough to secure a play-off spot, but if not, it would put us in a really strong position.
“It’s a golden opportunity to bid farewell to Danny, James and Guy who have all been terrific servants to the club.
“We will also say goodbye to Sam Jones, albeit sooner than we would have liked, and wish him all the best for the future.”
Kick off is 3pm with turnstiles opening at 1.30pm. The South Stand has been opened for the game and a limited number of £15 Adult tickets remain. U10s go free in selected areas. Visit www. wasps.co.uk/tickets