Barker re-signs for Warwickshire on short-term deal

Warwickshire have signed former player Keith Barker on a 12-month deal, in a move designed to bolster the quality and experience of Bears for 2026.

cfrench

2025-08-20T13:30:06.000Z

Warwickshire have signed former player Keith Barker on a 12-month deal, in a move designed to bolster the quality and experience of Bears for 2026.

The 38-year-old all-rounder has put pen to paper on a short-term agreement, signing for Warwickshire for a second time following a six-year break.

In his decade-long spell at Edgbaston between 2009 and 2018, Barker claimed 357 wickets at an average of 25.51, and chipped in with six first-class centuries. He was a key part of Warwickshire’s 2012 County Championship win and spent another six successful years in the West Midlands before moving to Hampshire in 2019.

First Team Coach Ian Westwood commented:

"Keith is a previous Bears alumnus, so to have him coming back home is fantastic. Having spent a decade with us earlier in his career, it feels ‘full-circle’ to have him back on the team.

“This signing represents a strategic short-term signing that brings proven quality and invaluable experience to our squad for 2026. Keith's return also offers a fantastic opportunity for our emerging talents to learn from someone who's performed consistently at this level for over a decade. His mentorship and experience will be invaluable in accelerating their development as they establish themselves in county cricket.