Giles: Another trophy will silence doubters

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Warwickshire’s director of cricket Ashley Giles believes that a second appearance in the Clydesdale Bank 40 final in three seasons will help to silence his side’s detractors.

The Bears won the one-day competition two years ago when they beat Somerset at Lord’s but Giles was annoyed that some observers attributed their success to the availability of England pair Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott for most of the campaign.

Warwickshire will return to Lord’s on Saturday to face Hampshire in this year’s final and they have got there with limited input from Bell and Trott.

“We are turning up there as county champions, and we have only done that seven times in our history so that is something that we should be proud of,” Giles said.

“They should take that pride and confidence through to Saturday. It’s not an excuse to take our foot off the gas. We are a good side now and can go to the final and dominate.

“We have had our detractors and doubters about our one day cricket over the last 12 months or so. People said that CB40 two years was all about Bell and Trott but that’s definitely not been the case this year. This side has played some very good cricket.

“It’s difficult to compete across the different formats and that’s one of the things that this side can be most proud of particularly with two competitions that run the length of the season side by side.

“It shows the adaptability of the squad and its make-up. I have always been a fan of multi-skilled cricketers. We have a lot of all-rounders and I think we have some of the best in the country. That helps when you have injuries. You can move guys around to fill spaces. It gives you more flexibility and gives Jim Troughton more on the pitch.”

Bell will be available to play for Warwickshire in Saturday’s final and will replace William Porterfield who is away on Twenty20 duty with Ireland. But Trott will miss the final having broke his right hand playing for England in the recent one-day series against South Africa.

Warwickshire will go into the final seeking to complete a quick trophy double having won the County Championship at Worcester last Thursday. Warwickshire partied hard for a couple of days after that success but Giles is confident that his players are now back in work mode.

“Realistically we have done half a job. That’s the way we have got to view it now,” Giles said. “We have the Championship which is great. The CB40 has been lingering in the background. It’s been hard work getting us here.

“The CB40 is a season-long competition, we have got an opportunity to do the double which would be a terrific achievement by Jim and the whole team. They have worked so hard to get us here. I don’t think they will need much pushing.”

“We’ve done the Championship, we have done the knees-ups, I’m sure the guys have had a few pints or whatever they drink nowadays and the job changes again.”

 

Date: 12/09/2012 10:35:26 by Paul Bolton
In: Warwickshire | Today |