Warwickshire captain Jim Troughton has revealed the club are hopeful of success in all formats of the game this summer.
Wednesday 2 April 2014 12:55, UK
The Bears won the County Championship title in 2012 before finishing fourth behind Durham last year and they are looking to regain that crown as well as challenging for honours in the new 50-over Royal London Cup and the NatWest T20 Blast.
Warwickshire recently returned from a pre-season tour of Barbados and are currently taking on Gloucestershire in a friendly at Edgbaston before opening their County Championship challenge with a home fixture against Sussex which starts on April 13.
Troughton, who is currently recovering after undergoing a back operation six weeks ago, said: “It was good to get out there to Barbados and get some overs under the bowlers’ belts and get the batsmen out in the middle.
“Obviously we have got a couple of warm-up games back in England. It’s good to see the sun shining here at Edgbaston and we are looking forward to the season starting now.
“The County Championship is always at the forefront of this squad’s mind. The T20s have been rather disappointing over the last couple of years so that is something we need to focus on.
“The 50-over competition, I think, will suit us nicely so it is the same as always – we are always looking to win trophies and it all starts with that first game.”
Warwickshire have signed Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik for the T20 Blast and Troughton is looking forward to seeing him in action in mid-summer.
He said: “Having someone like Shoaib Malik, who is international quality, hopefully puts bums on seats for a start here at Edgbaston.
“But he has shown prowess in T20 cricket. To have him at the top of the order and also what he offers with the ball will be something that will benefit Warwickshire.”
England batsman Jonathan Trott has returned to action against Gloucestershire after his early exit from the Ashes tour due to ‘burn out’ and Troughton has welcomed him back to the fold.
He said: “I think it is good to just get him back on the pitch now and score some runs for Warwickshire. So we are looking forward to having him with us.”
Troughton worked closely with Ashley Giles at Edgbaston before he left to become England’s limited-overs coach and he has backed the 41-year-old to become the national team’s coach in all formats of the game.
He said: “I worked closely with Ashley for five years and I think he has got the credentials. I think given full rein to stamp his authority on a squad in all forms of the game, I think he’s the man for the job for me.
“One game doesn’t ruin your credentials. I think 24 hours before the Holland game people would have thought he has turned around a side and given the opportunity he can do that.”
