Carter to make Lord's final his Warwicks farewell

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Warwickshire have confirmed that veteran seamer Neil Carter will make his farewell appearance for the county in Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank 40 final against Hampshire at Lord’s.

The 37-year-old, who is expected to announce his retirement from county cricket after the final, has been used only sparingly by Warwickshire this season and had not played for them at all in the CB40 until the final group match against Yorkshire at Scarborough.

Carter took four wickets in that match and four more in the semi-final victory over Lancashire at Old Trafford, and those performances have secured Carter his place in Warwickshire’s side as they attempt to follow up last week’s County Championship success with a trophy double.

“We would be pretty daft not to pick him. I think we’d get strung up,” said Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles. “Carts is a man for all occasions and big occasions particularly. He won that Benson and Hedges Cup semi at Old Trafford in 2002 with his little sweep last ball.

“He had four wickets in the semi-final last week. He’s certainly fresh.  I would be worried if Carts had played a full season because, with all respect to him, he’s not as young as he used to be.

“He’s performed brilliantly and I think you can guarantee, without worrying too much about match fixing, that he’s going to play on Saturday.

“It would be a fantastic way for him to go out. He’s been a great servant for the club. He’s been doing the long walk at least six times during his time with us. He’s a great man to have a round, a likeable lad and as friendly guy as you can meet.

“So a Lord’s final is a great way for him to go out. But it’s also great for the team. They should now be thinking every night before they go to bed what it will feel like to be standing out there with a winner’s medal on. It was certainly a special feeling two years ago.”


Date: 12/09/2012 10:22:24 by Paul Bolton
In: Warwickshire | Today | Hampshire |