Rhodes: "It's for guys to stake their claim"

Will Rhodes believes Warwickshire's pre-season tour to South Africa is the perfect opportunity for players to put their hand up.

matc

2023-03-11T09:45:51.000Z

Warwickshire are on day three of their 13 day tour, which started with two days of practice at Stellenbosch University.

The squad will head to their Newlands base on Saturday afternoon, with all eyes on their upcoming matches. The Bears play four T20s split between Yorkshire and Northants (Sunday) and Loughborough (Tuesday), before facing the White Rose in two two-day matches later next week.

"I think it's almost three years to the day since we were last in La Manga," said the Club Captain. "Seeing the guys coming together on pre-season tour is fantastic and it's something that we've certainly missed over the last couple of years.

"It’s for guys to stake their claim and a massive opportunity for younger guys, the experienced guys, and people who have been around the team for a long time.

"For the guys who've been in indoors it's about getting outdoors as much as you can and acclimatising to the conditions as some of the squad have played all winter. It's for those players to make use of this opportunity."

When the squad return, the opening County Championship against Somerset is within touching distance.

Rhodes admits there was disappointment with how last year went and that plans are well underway for the season ahead.

"We were quite disappointed with where we finished last year and the way we played our cricket on the whole," Rhodes added.

"We're tinkering with a few things and that has really helped. We'll put them into place in the two two day games against Yorkshire, which will be a good test for us. We know them well and I'm sure both sides will be giving everything they can to get one over each other."