Shaikh praises strength in depth as Second XI win back-to-back T20 titles

Hamza Shaikh was full of praise for the strength in depth at Warwickshire County Cricket Club as the Bears Second XI secured back-to-back T20 titles at Wormsley Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

2026-07-08T12:15+01:00

Shaikh captained the side on Finals Day, where the Bears sealed their place in the Final with a thrilling one-run win against Northamptonshire in the morning before they went on to win by 27 runs against Nottinghamshire in the Final.

The 20-year-old, who top scored with a vital 55 in the Final as the Bears set Notts 181 to win, said throughout the competition several players stepped up when needed, and that was evident again on Finals Day.

“This team has had a lot of different players this year,” he said. “We've had everything from trialists to pros to academy players.

“On different days and in different games where we’ve come out on top, different lads have come in and shown what they can do.

“It's great to see everyone has made an impact in their own moment.

“Throughout the tournament I think everyone has shown what they can do and then when it comes to Finals Day, it's really pleasing to see the stuff that the lads have worked on and the plans they have worked on, being executed.

“To win it last year and do it again back-to-back, it’s a credit to the lads.”

The Bears batted first in both games on Finals Day, scoring 142 against Northants and 180 against Notts, however it was Warwickshire’s ability to take wickets at crucial times that saw them over the line.

The bowling unit of Olly Hannon-Dalby, Ethan Bamber, Nathan Gilchrist, Che Simmons, Taz Ali and Theo Wylie all contributed on the day.

“With the ball, it just shows the importance of wickets in a T20 game and how quickly the momentum shifts,” Shaikh added.

“The fight and the character they showed was great. All the bowlers that bowled, bowled with clear plans, and helped get us back in the game, especially in the semi-final.