WCCC

Patel and Trott reflect on special day

27 September 2018

Watch the reaction as Warwickshire lifted the Second Division title.

Warwickshire secured the Specsavers County Championship Division Two title by beating Kent by an innings and 34 runs inside three days at Edgbaston.

It was a clinical performance that typified the Bears excellent season – bowl them out, bat long and repeat with the ball again.

Warwickshire finished the season with nine wins, three draws and defeats, accruing a mammoth total of 242 points – 21 points ahead of second placed Kent who’d won one more game.

That advantage came from a bat and a ball collective with Jeetan Patel’s side earning the maximum bowling points available (42), as well as matching Division One Champions Surrey with 41 batting points.

It was a special season as the captain discusses below.

Jeetan Patel promotion interview

Jonathan Trott’s final interview

Despite returning to the top flight at the first time of asking, there was another celebration that underlaid the final celebrations.

Warwickshire and England legend had completed his final ever cricket match after announcing his retirement earlier in the season.

The 37-year-old finished with over 18,500 first-class runs, 46 centuries and an average of 44.32 and was given a guard of honour, as well as a standing ovation at close.

It was a special day for the long-time Bear, who completed his final interview below.

Keith Barker and Chris Wright say goodbye

Trott sadly isn’t the only goodbye as Keith Barker and Chris Wright head to pastures new.

Barker (Hampshire) and Wright (Leicestershire) leave with everyone’s best wishes as they helped Warwickshire win every domestic trophy available.

Dubbed ‘the engine room’ by bowling coach Graeme Welch, the opening bowlers added 631 wickets between them as they formed a formidable partnership on and off the field.

Excellent characters as well as seam bowlers, two Warwickshire legends depart on a high.