Robinson reflects on excitement and challenge of Fixtures Day

Robinson sees a group keen to 'keep improving'

Warwickshire First Team Coach Mark Robinson says the meticulous planning for 2024 starts now as he reflects on the newly-released fixture schedule for next season.

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2023-11-23T11:26:37.000Z

Robinson described Fixtures Day as one of the most exciting in the cricket calendar as Bears fans begin the countdown to 2024 and start planning their sporting diaries.

The anticipation has been heightened with news that Warwickshire open their County Championship campaign at home to local rivals Worcestershire on 5 April.

There’s more weekend action to look forward to; a red ball return to Edgbaston in August; a series of Friday Night Lights games in the Vitality Blast; and the prospect of the Bears playing at regional out-grounds for the first time in 10 years.

But Robinson also admitted the new schedule has thrown up some logistical and player welfare challenges that he and his team will have to overcome.

“Mornings are dark, evenings are dark, but the release of the fixtures is a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

“They’re brilliant games to play in, to be involved with in any capacity, there’s always a fantastic atmosphere here at Edgbaston when the ground is full and it’s rocking.”

Robinson said his team are already planning the logistics around “pinch points” in the season – and none more so than the start to the Bears Vitality Blast bid.

Bears are due to play away at Durham on Friday 31 May followed the next day with a home fixture at Edgbaston as part of the Blast Off double-header event.

Robinson reflects on excitement and challenge of Fixtures Day - Image 1

He added: “We go through the fixtures line by line, slot in 2nd XI games or practice days where we can, and look at where your pinch points are.

“It’s not an easy task pulling together the fixtures, it’s a hard job trying to keep everyone happy. But the Durham trip and quick turnaround for our next game, less than 24 hours later, is going to be challenging.

“We’re looking at a five-hour coach trip, a late finish on Friday night – we might not return till 3 or 4am – and then back at Edgbaston to prepare for a 6.30pm start.

“I’m sure other clubs will face similar dilemmas but that’s certainly a tough start for us and of course player welfare has to be paramount. We have to take it on the chin. It’s up to us to find a way to cope.”

The Warwickshire squad are deep into pre-season fitness and strength conditioning training before the focus switches to cricket after Christmas.

Robinson added: “At the moment we’re getting fit, getting the building blocks in place for next season, some individuals are doing some technical work around the strength and conditioning, and then we step up the cricket skills after Christmas.

“We’ll be ready for next season, no doubt about that, but you need a bit of luck as well. We need our bowlers to be fit, we’d like a bit more depth in the bowling, that will take time to build.

“The Club is very supportive from a budgeting point of view but like any club we have our restrictions. If our best bowlers are fit, we have a bit of Woakesy and Hassan Ali is free from international duties, we’ll be there or there abouts competing on all fronts.

“April 5 will come around before we know it. I can’t wait.”