Ateeq Javid secured on another decent 3 year contract by Bearswww.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30055379
Warwickshire's Sam Hain and Boyd Rankin extend contracts The Bears have agreed new deals with key duo Boyd Rankin and Sam Hain Nov 26, 2014 11:20 By Aidan McCartneyWarwickshire County Cricket Club have confirmed that fast bowler Boyd Rankin has signed a new three-year contract while batsman Sam Hain has penned a four-year extension with the club.Rankin, 30, joined the Bears in 2008 and has helped them to win the LV= County Championship, Clydesdale Bank 40 and T20 Blast titles during his time in the midlands.Hain made his first-class debut in May and has since played 12 matches with an average of 51.43, the 19-year-old becoming the youngest Warwickshire player to make a century and double-century in the process.Dougie Brown, Director of Cricket at Warwickshire CCC, said: “Both Boyd and Sam made important contributions to our success in 2014 and will be key for our push for more silverware in 2015 and beyond.“Boyd’s pace and bounce make him one of the most feared bowlers on the county circuit and, at his best, he is a match for any batsman in the world. His form in the latter part of the season was key to our qualification for the Royal London One-Day Cup Final at Lord’s and claiming our first NatWest T20 Blast title at Edgbaston.“Sam took his opportunity in First Class Cricket last season and is now one of the most exciting prospects in the country. His record-breaking feats have rightly attracted a lot of attention and we are thrilled that he has committed long-term to Warwickshire.”
I've a feeling Hain could be a class act.
Edgbaston awarded further international fixtures for 2017-2019Edgbaston Stadium has been awarded some of the biggest fixtures in world cricket with a further 28 days of Major Matches allocated by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) between 2017 and 2019.Highlights of the new ECB package includes the return of Test Match cricket at Edgbaston in all three years, with England set to take on West Indies in an Investec Test in 2017, India in 2018 and Australia in the Investec Ashes Series of 2019. Additionally, the ICC Champions Trophy (2017) and ICC Cricket World Cup (2019) will be played in Birmingham, with Edgbaston set to host five-match packages in both tournaments, which include a prestigious Semi-Final in both tournaments.Colin Povey, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: “It’s fantastic news for us and for the city that some of the biggest fixtures will be played at Edgbaston over the next few years. Our thanks go to Birmingham City Council, our partners and all local stakeholders for their support with the bidding process.“We have invested heavily in enhancing our customer experience, match day operations and local community engagement since the previous Major Match allocation, in 2011, and the progress that we have made has been reflected in this round of marquee fixtures awarded by the ECB.“By hosting the final of ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and successive NatWest T20 Blast Finals Days, Edgbaston and Birmingham have proved that we can host the biggest events in world cricket and these days are set to bring huge economic benefit to the local economy.”Following this latest boost for all at Edgbaston, in early 2015 the Club will bid for the ECB Major Match schedule in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons. An announcement about these years will follow in the Spring.Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services at Visit Birmingham, the city’s official leisure tourism programme, said: “Birmingham has played host to some memorable sporting occasions in recent years. The ECB’s decision to award Edgbaston Stadium with another 28 days of international cricket is a great coup for the venue and city, providing further invaluable exposure to a global audience.“From cricket and tennis, to football and athletics, Birmingham continues to cement its reputation as a world-class sporting destination – which is helping to attract record numbers of national and international visitors last year.“With a range of high-profile matches scheduled to take place at Edgbaston, we look forward to welcoming fans from some of our most important visitor markets to enjoy some exciting cricket, along with a variety of local attractions, great food, shopping and accommodation.”Ahead of this latest Major Match allocation, Edgbaston is set to host seven days of Major Match cricket in both of the next two years. In 2015 the stadium will host England in an Investec Ashes Test match against Australia, a Royal London ODI versus New Zealand and NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day.In 2016, England will play at Edgbaston in an Investec Test Match versus Pakistan and a Royal London ODI against Sri Lanka, whilst it will again host NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day.For ticket information on the Investec Ashes Test Match, the Royal London ODI between England and New Zealand and NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day in 2015, please visit www.edgbaston.com or call the Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 1902.Major Matches awarded to Edgbaston 2017-20192017Investec Test Match, England v West IndiesNatWest T20 Blast Finals DayICC Champions Trophy, 1 x Semi Final and 4 x group games 2018Investec Test Match, England v IndiaIT20 England v AustraliaT20 Blast Finals Day 2019Investec Ashes Test MatchICC Cricket World Cup, 1 x Semi Final and 4 x group games
Great news. Re the Cape Hill ground, any locals know if there's a station and any decent pubs nearby?