Cricket

Warwickshire's Ed Barnard starred with a five-wicket haul as they gained the upper hand against Somerset on day two of their Vitality County Championship clash at Edgbaston.Resuming on 277 for six, Warwickshire added 60 for four in ten overs, with Michael Burgess (69) and Jake Bethell (64) extending their partnership to 122 before both fell in quick succession. The tail-enders then wagged aggressively, with Michael Rae contributing 28 from 22, to push the home side's total to 337.Somerset's reply got off to a disastrous start as they slumped to nought for two, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Andy Umeed dismissed cheaply. Barnard then struck twice to remove Tom Abell and Tom Banton, leaving the visitors reeling at 65 for five.Kasey Aldridge (84) and James Rew (49) provided some resistance, adding 87 for the sixth wicket. However, Barnard continued to chip away, dismissing Rew and Josh Davey in quick succession. He then had Jack Leach caught at second slip to complete his five-for, with Somerset eventually bowled out for 239.Warwickshire lost Rob Yates early in their second innings, but Alex Davies and Will Rhodes saw them through to the close on 27 for one, giving them a lead of 125 runs.

Warwickshire's Ed Barnard starred with both bat and ball as they extended their winning streak in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup to five matches with a six-wicket victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol's Seat Unique Stadium.Barnard's all-round brilliance was on full display as he claimed 3 for 16 to restrict Gloucestershire to 267 in 49.4 overs. The in-form allrounder then anchored Warwickshire's chase with a match-winning knock of 152 not out from 134 balls.Barnard's early wickets put Gloucestershire on the back foot, but Jack Taylor's unbeaten 139 kept them in the game. Taylor shared crucial partnerships with Ben Charlesworth and Graeme van Buuren to rescue Gloucestershire from a precarious 43 for 4.However, Barnard's irrepressible bowling and Tazeem Ali's career-best figures of 3 for 55 kept Gloucestershire in check. Warwickshire's spinners, including Ali, Jake Lintott, and Rob Yates, played a significant role in restricting the home side's scoring rate.In response, Warwickshire lost early wickets but Barnard and Hamza Shaikh steadied the ship with a 79-run stand. Shaikh's departure brought Chris Benjamin to the crease, and the duo added a crucial 135 runs for the fifth wicket.Benjamin's unbeaten 45 and Barnard's unwavering concentration saw Warwickshire chase down the target with 2.1 overs to spare. Barnard's second century in five innings broke Gloucestershire's resolve and secured a comfortable victory for the visitors.With this win, Warwickshire remains joint-leaders of Group B alongside Glamorgan. They can virtually guarantee a quarter-final berth by defeating Glamorgan at Edgbaston on Thursday. Gloucestershire, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages and will need to beat Sussex in their next game to keep their hopes alive.

Warwickshire continued their impressive start to the Metrobank One Day Cup with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Leicestershire at Grace Road. Skipper Ed Barnard starred with the ball, claiming four wickets, while teenager Hamza Shaikh anchored the chase with an unbeaten 34.After winning the toss, Barnard opted to field first and his decision proved inspired. He dismissed Harry Swindells and Sol Budinger in quick succession, before trapping India Test star Ajinkya Rahane leg before wicket. Craig Miles then joined the party, picking up three wickets as Leicestershire collapsed to 40 for 4.Ben Cox and Ben Mike briefly threatened a recovery, but their dismissals sparked another collapse. Leicestershire were eventually bowled out for a paltry 88 in just 25.4 overs.Warwickshire's reply began poorly as Chris Wright removed both openers cheaply. However, Rhodes and Shaikh steadied the ship with a composed partnership. Shaikh, in particular, impressed with his maturity and shot selection.The pair put on an unbeaten 85-run stand to guide Warwickshire to victory with 32.4 overs to spare. Rhodes finished on 48 not out, while Shaikh remained unbeaten on 34.Warwickshire's victory was their second in as many matches, while Leicestershire suffered their first defeat of the competition. The Bears will now face Derbyshire in their next match, while Leicestershire will take on Nottinghamshire.

Warwickshire's Ed Barnard continued his impressive form at Chelmsford's Cloud County Ground, smashing a career-best 173 not out to lead his team to a seven-wicket victory over Essex in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Barnard's innings, his highest in List A cricket, anchored Warwickshire's chase of Essex's 324 for 7. He shared crucial partnerships with Rob Yates (42), Will Rhodes (41), and Michael Burgess (59 not out) to guide his team to victory with 14 balls to spare.Essex, who struggled throughout the 2023 campaign, were put into bat on a green-tinged wicket. Nick Browne top-scored with 75, while Charlie Allison contributed 69 and Luc Benkenstein added 44. Olly Hannon-Dalby was the pick of the Warwickshire bowlers, claiming three wickets for 69 runs.Chasing a target of 325, Warwickshire lost Yates early, but Barnard remained unyielding. He reached his century from 100 balls and continued to punish the Essex bowlers, hitting four sixes in total. Rhodes and Burgess provided valuable support, with Burgess hitting three sixes in his 42-ball half-century.Earlier, Essex had made a solid start thanks to Browne and Feroze Khushi's 51-run opening stand. However, Barnard and Tom Westley struck to remove Khushi and Westley, respectively. Robin Das and Browne then added 71 runs, but Rhodes dismissed Das to leave Essex at 142 for 3.Browne reached his half-century but was dismissed soon after, while Allison and Benkenstein provided some late fireworks. However, Hannon-Dalby's quickfire treble, including Benkenstein's wicket, put a dent in Essex's hopes.Warwickshire's victory was their second in the competition, while Essex remained winless. Barnard's heroics and the team's clinical batting performance will give them confidence as they look to improve their position in the standings.

Warwickshire's Michael Burgess played a pivotal role in his team's spirited fightback against Somerset on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship Division One clash at Taunton.Burgess, batting at number eight, crafted an unbeaten 126 off 167 deliveries, adorned with 14 boundaries and three towering sixes. His innings provided the backbone for Warwickshire's recovery after they had stumbled to 40 for 4 following Somerset's decision to bowl first.Ed Barnard (92) and skipper Will Rhodes (63) had laid the foundation for Burgess's heroics. The duo shared a crucial 103-run partnership, helping Warwickshire recover from their early setbacks.Chris Woakes contributed a valuable 39 in an eighth-wicket stand of 110 with Burgess, enabling Warwickshire to post a respectable 373 for 8 at the close of play.Migael Pretorius emerged as the standout performer for Somerset's bowling attack, claiming 4 for 72 from 20 overs. However, Warwickshire's batsmen showed resilience and determination throughout the day.Josh Davey initiated the Somerset breakthrough, dismissing Alex Davies for 19 in the fifth over. Pretorius then struck three quick blows, removing Rob Yates (15), Sam Hain (0), and Dan Mousley (0) to leave Warwickshire reeling at 40 for 4.Rhodes and Barnard steadied the ship with a 57-run partnership before lunch. Rhodes went on to reach fifty, but his innings was cut short by Jack Leach, who induced him into a mistimed shot.Barnard remained a steadfast presence, reaching a half-century off 94 balls. He shared a 99-run stand with Burgess before falling to Leach for 92.Burgess continued to impress, reaching his fifty off 87 balls and his century off 146 deliveries. He launched Leach for two sixes over long-on, showcasing his attacking prowess.Woakes provided valuable support, bringing up 300 for Warwickshire with a glorious cover drive. He eventually fell for 39, but Burgess remained unbeaten, ensuring Warwickshire ended the day in a strong position.

Warwickshire's dominance continued on day two of their Vitality County Championship clash against Essex at Chelmsford, thanks to a stunning debut performance from Che Simmons and a career-best century from Ed Barnard.Simmons, the 20-year-old Barbadian-born, British passport-holder, made an immediate impact with the ball, ripping through Essex's top order with three wickets in 15 balls. His venomous opening spell reduced Essex from 52 for 2 to 63 for 5, setting the tone for Warwickshire's eventual 235-run lead.Barnard, who had anchored Warwickshire's first innings with a six-and-three-quarter-hour 165, was unable to replicate his heroics in the second innings, falling for a golden duck to Jamie Porter. However, Warwickshire's lead had already reached 278 runs, giving them a comfortable cushion.Essex opted not to enforce the follow-on, but Warwickshire's decision to bat again proved costly as they lost five wickets in 17.3 evening overs. Captain Alex Davies, Will Rhodes, Barnard, Dan Mousley, and Rob Yates all fell cheaply, leaving Warwickshire in a precarious position.Simmons's fellow debutant, Michael Rae, had earlier made a promising start with the ball, dismissing Feroze Khushi and Dean Elgar. Oliver Hannon-Dalby also impressed, taking two wickets, including the dangerous Jordan Cox.Despite the late collapse, Warwickshire remain in a strong position heading into day three. Their lead of 278 runs gives them a significant advantage, and they will be confident of securing a victory that would boost their hopes of promotion to Division One.

Warwickshire's Ed Barnard and Michael Burgess staged a remarkable rescue act at Chelmsford, defying Essex's bowling attack with an unbroken 204-run partnership for the seventh wicket. The duo's heroics lifted Warwickshire to a commanding position of 308 for 6 at the close of play.Essex had initially dominated the proceedings, claiming five wickets before lunch, including four catches by Simon Harmer. However, Barnard and Burgess weathered the storm, with Barnard reaching an unbeaten 115 and Burgess scoring 105, his highest score of the season.Barnard, who initially struggled, found his rhythm and has now amassed 336 runs in his last four innings. Burgess, too, played with authority, despite a few close calls.Essex's bowlers, who have been consistently impressive this season, were unable to make further inroads as Barnard and Burgess took control. Sam Cook, who is vying for a spot in England's Test team, claimed two early wickets but was unable to add to his tally.The partnership between Barnard and Burgess is a Warwickshire record for the seventh wicket against Essex, surpassing a mark that had stood for 92 years. It also marks a significant turnaround for Warwickshire, who were struggling at 104 for 6.With James Anderson's retirement looming, Cook had an opportunity to stake his claim as a potential replacement. However, he was unable to make a significant impact beyond his early wickets.As the day progressed, the wicket eased, making batting easier. Barnard and Burgess took advantage, accelerating the scoring rate and frustrating Essex's bowlers. Both players survived dropped catches, but their determination and skill proved too much for the opposition.Barnard reached his century off 198 balls, while Burgess reached his off 149 balls. The pair's partnership has given Warwickshire a significant advantage heading into the second day of the match.

Warwickshire and Surrey engaged in a captivating contest on day one of their County Championship clash, with all-rounders Jordan Clark and Ed Barnard taking center stage.Clark, the unsung hero of Surrey's back-to-back title triumphs, showcased his versatility once again. After a promising start for Lancashire, he has blossomed at Surrey, becoming an integral part of their success. His batting and bowling averages for the club are remarkably similar, and he has excelled as a first-change bowler.In this match, Clark's impact was immediate. He dismissed Alex Davies and Rob Yates in quick succession, leaving Warwickshire reeling at 50 for 2. Sam Hain, returning to the side after personal reasons, looked promising but was controversially given out caught behind. Clark continued to strike regularly, trapping Dan Mousley, Will Rhodes, and Michael Burgess.However, Ed Barnard emerged as a beacon of resistance for Warwickshire. The all-rounder, who joined the club from Worcestershire, has been a revelation at No. 6. He has the ability to score runs and contribute with the ball, making him a valuable asset.Barnard guided Warwickshire to a respectable 318 for 8 at the close, scoring heavily through cover-point. He added crucial partnerships with Aamer Jamal and Craig Miles, and is poised to complete his maiden first-class hundred for Warwickshire on Saturday.Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes praised Barnard's impact, highlighting his ability to score runs and bowl overs. He also acknowledged the importance of Barnard's signing, filling the void left by Tim Bresnan's departure.With Surrey having conceded only one higher score this season, Warwickshire's total has set the stage for an intriguing day two. The match is poised for a result, with both teams eager to make their mark in the Championship standings.