Following Warwickshire’s victory inside two days against Essex last week and defeats for fellow title contenders Somerset and Nottinghamshire, Barnard’s team head into the final fixture of the season against Leicestershire 11 points clear at the top of the table.
Barnard, who took over the reins as Club Captain ahead of the 2026 campaign, says being in contention was something the team spoke about at the start of the year.
“It’s really exciting to be involved with,” he said. “We set out the target at the start of the season to be in and around it coming into the last couple of games, so to be in the hunt is exciting.
“I wouldn’t say we expected it, but there was definitely hope. We knew the squad we had and the quality we had in it, so there was always that hope.
“We knew that if we could get a lot of things right this year, we’d be in with a chance, so for it to come good up to this point is a really nice place to be.”
Through the first eight games of the season and prior to a two-month break in the red-ball schedule, Warwickshire had won two, lost one and drawn five to stay in touch with both Somerset and Notts at the top.
Since four-day cricket’s return, the Bears have been the form team in the country, producing their best cricket of the season while winning four of their five fixtures to catapult themselves to the summit of Division One.
“I think we’ve played good cricket all year, but especially these last few weeks, we’ve really come into our own and it’s come together nicely,” Barnard added.
“We’ll be looking to do the same this week, put in a good performance and hopefully come out with the right result.
“All year we’ve put things in place to try and have good processes and try to enable ourselves to play the best cricket.
“I think it’s been a continuation of that which has allowed us to then go out, when conditions have been in our favour and when we’ve got on top of teams, to be able to hammer it home.”
Should Warwickshire win Division One this week, it would be the ninth time the Club has done so, while Barnard would become the eighth Bears captain to achieve the feat.
While relishing that opportunity, the 30-year-old was keen to highlight the impact the entire Bears squad has had this year.
“We’ve had a bit of a core group, but it’s been a real squad effort,” he said. “You look at Nathan Gilchrist who played a couple of good games, Jordan Thompson has been involved a lot, Michael Booth has been involved.
“We’ve played a lot of people, but everyone who has stepped up and come into the side has done a really good job. We’re hoping the 11 that go out this week will do the same.
“The consistency from everyone in terms of preparation and performance has been really good.”
Day one gets under way at 10:30am on Thursday 24 September with the playing XI set to be announced at the toss. Free tickets are available for day one, with tickets for days two, three and four priced at just £15 with U16s free of charge. 
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