Bears need experienced players back

BBC News

03-06-2025

Birmingham Bears first-team coach Ian Westwood has said having their more experienced players available in the coming days will help support some of the squad who are "learning on the job" in the early stages of the T20 Blast.The Bears have lost both their opening group games in this year's competition - at Nottinghamshire by seven wickets, and at home to Durham by three wickets.With all-rounder Beau Webster's involvement in the Blast ended by his call up by Australia and Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali's arrival delayed by his international commitments, the Bears opted not to bring in any short-term replacements.They did sign trialist fast bowler Adam Sylvester until the end of the season, but he has struggled so far, returning figures of 0-50 from three overs against the Outlaws, with his only over against Durham going for 21."It's been a bit of a baptism for him, in terms of his figures," Westwood told BBC Radio WM."He hasn't had much luck and I think when you get someone who is inexperienced I think the opposition target that, which I think's happened."We've got a couple of guys trying to learn on the job which is never ideal in pressure games, which all these group games are."
Sylvester, 25, earned his deal after several impressive T20 performances for the Bears' second XI and Westwood says the former Derbyshire quick has been a bit unlucky."It's fine margins - he's had a few nicked over slips and keeper and he's got a few wrong himself so it's fine lines," he said."He's learning on the job but he'll keep trying his heart out."
Westwood also said they are yet to work out "the right role" for another of their fast bowlers, George Garton.The former Sussex left-armer's two overs against Nottinghamshire cost 36 runs and he did not bowl against DurhamWestwood said that was down to the player carrying a slight hamstring issue."He was there if needed in the middle overs but we wanted him in there for his fielding - he's a good all-round package so we need to make sure we get him in the best place possible."We're going to try to see how best to use George. He's got so much quality with ball, bat and in the field, it's just finding the right role for him."
The Bears are back in action on Friday against Yorkshire at Edgbaston (19:00 BST) and could have seamer Richard Gleeson available following his stint in the Indian Premier League.Hasan Ali arrives back in Birmingham on Friday, while Westwood is hoping all-rounder Dan Mousley might be made available by England Lions, having hit a century in their drawn first unofficial 'Test' against India A."We've got guys slowly coming back in over the next few games and are looking forward to getting some experience back," Westwood said."We've lost 12 banker overs there [with Gleeson, Ali and Mousley] but it's not an excuse, we've got a squad for a reason and we were confident of getting something from these two games."