Ethan Bamber’s rise: How he became the league’s leading wicket-taker

Ethan Bamber’s rise to the summit of the Rothesay County Championship wicket-taking ranks has been years in the making.

2026-10-07T16:35+01:00

Bamber has been a key component of Warwickshire’s successful pursuit of four-day glory in 2026, however all of that wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for his diligent work away from Edgbaston and hours in the nets perfecting his craft.

For Bamber, his 69 wickets at an average of 19.39 that saw him end 2026 as the leading wicket-taker across English domestic cricket, are the culmination of many years that have gone before.

He now has 308 wickets in First Class cricket since making his debut in the four-day format for Middlesex back in 2018.

His first wicket in First Class cricket came on his debut when he bowled Ricardo Vasconcelos. It’s a mode of dismissal regulars to Edgbaston have become accustomed to over the past two seasons.

Bamber would take four wickets in the match – one of six he played that season - and ended his first campaign with 28 wickets at an average of 20.25. As a 19-year-old, it was an impressive start to his red-ball career.

After starting the following season by playing three times for Middlesex, Bamber went out on loan to Gloucestershire where he played twice before returning to his home Club for the final two games of the season. The last of those, at Lord’s, saw Bamber claim his maiden First Class five-wicket haul, returning figures of 5/93 in a draw against Derbyshire.

With the 2020 season disrupted due to Covid-19, 2021 saw Bamber not only consolidate his place in the Middlesex line-up, but play a starring role. Despite the team struggling, he took 52 wickets at an average of 20.84.

In 2022 he played ten times, taking 25 wickets as Middlesex earned a return to Division One. There he would take 41 more scalps in 13 appearances, however defeat in their final two fixtures would consign his side to relegation back to Division Two.

That season Bamber would experience four-day cricket at Edgbaston for the first time, and it was a performance the Bears’ backroom staff wouldn’t forget in a hurry. He would take 5/20 in the first innings, which included the wickets of Sam Hain, Dan Mousley, Jacob Bethell, Ed Barnard and Michael Burgess. Bamber would end the match with nine wickets, as Middlesex sealed a dominant victory.

The Bears watched on as Bamber took 30 wickets in the 2024 campaign for Middlesex, before he chose to swap Lord’s for Edgbaston ahead of the 2025 season.

Speaking at the time, Bamber said: "Warwickshire is a fantastic opportunity for me. I can't wait to be a Bear. Talking to staff at the Club, I believe Edgbaston is the perfect place for me to continue my cricketing journey."

It has proved to be just that. Bamber would compile an outstanding debut season for the Club.

He ended the campaign as the Club’s leading wicket-taker in the County Championship with 43 at an average of 33.09, bowling a staggering 464 overs across 14 matches.

With a never-ending drive to improve and get better, those numbers seemingly pale into insignificance against the numbers Bamber has produced in 2026.

A total of 69 wickets at 19.39. 445.3 overs bowled. 102 maidens. An economy of 3.00. Career-best figures of 6/26.

When the team needed him most, Bamber was there. In the closing weeks, he was arguably as his best. In September alone, he took 24 wickets at an average of 10.16 which included three five wicket-hauls.

Another thing to note when it comes to Bamber is his durability. He is yet to miss a game since joining the Club. In 28 matches, he has bowled a staggering 909 overs. He bowled more balls than any pace bowler in English domestic cricket in 2025 and bowled more balls than all bowlers this past year.

It was only fitting that the man leading a stand-out bowling attack would take the final wicket to confirm the Bears as champions.