Yates, Malik, Jani and Garton sign Bears contract extensions

George Garton, Vansh Jani, Zen Malik, Rob Yates contract extensions5

George Garton, Vansh Jani, Zen Malik and Rob Yates have all committed their respective futures to Warwickshire County Cricket Club after signing two-year contract extensions.

2026-08-17T14:00+01:00

All four players will remain at Edgbaston Stadium until at least 2028 after contributing in a Bears’ shirt in recent years.

Opening batter Yates has been with Warwickshire for 16 years having come through the youth pathway and has been a key figure at the top of the order since breaking into the senior side in 2019.

The 26-year-old now has over 7,000 runs for the Bears across formats, with 4,500 of those coming in First Class cricket.

Yates has 15 centuries and 37 half-centuries in his time at the Club, including a List A best of 132 at Rugby School earlier this month, while also bowling important overs with his right-arm off-spin.

Yates said: “I’m really happy to extend my stay here, I love playing for Warwickshire and am so lucky to be a part of a wonderful community and be able to call it home. Most of all, I’d love to add some more silverware over the next couple of years which I truly believe we’re not far from.”

An attacking right-handed batter, Malik signed his first professional contract for the Club at the end of 2024 and will now remain until at least 2028.

He produced a statement innings during this year’s Vitality Blast, hitting a blistering 99 off just 46 balls in the Bears’ victory over local rivals Worcestershire at Edgbaston in June.

Malik said: “I’m really pleased to have extended my contract for another two years. I love representing this club and feel extremely grateful to call Edgbaston my home. Hopefully over the next couple of years I can contribute towards the clubs success and create some special memories.”

Garton will also remain with Warwickshire after the all-rounder, who initially joined from Sussex on a two-year deal at the start of 2025, signed a two-year extension.

The 29-year-old, who will be available across all three formats, has predominantly played white-ball cricket for the Bears over the last two years, and scored a maiden century for the Club in the Metro Bank One Day Cup in July with a counter-attacking 117 off 101 balls against Nottinghamshire after enduring a frustrating summer with injury.

Garton said: “I’m delighted to sign an extension and continue my time at Warwickshire. It’s a special place, and one I feel privileged to call home.

“It’s been a frustrating year personally with injury preventing me from bowling, so to have the backing and support of the club means a huge amount to me.

“The club and squad are in a great place with a real opportunity to push for trophies across all formats. I’m excited to be a part of it and help contribute going forward.”

Highly-rated 21-year-old Jani announced himself as a real prospect during the 2026 season, amassing four half-centuries in the Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign, including an innings of 98 in the comprehensive victory against Kent.

Jani said: “I’m delighted to be extending my time with the Bears, and am really grateful for the opportunity given to me by this club. It’s a great feeling knowing you have the backing of the club and the coaches and I’m hoping we can achieve some special things together.”

Warwickshire County Cricket Club Head Coach, Ian Westwood, said: “It’s brilliant for the Club to be able to tie down four outstanding talents for at least the next two years.

“All four players, while being great professionals, have also shown that they can win games of cricket for Warwickshire, which was a fundamental reason behind us wanting to keep them here.

“Rob has been with the Club for a long time now and is an asset across all three formats while Zen has shown his qualities over the last two years and that he has the willingness to keep improving. George continues to show signs that he can play a big part at the Club in the coming years and Vansh has such a high ceiling and we’re excited to see how far he can go with us. It’s great to have them commit their future to the Bears.”