WARWICKSHIRE County Cricket Club have moved to strengthen their bowling attack for next season with the signing of Durham’s all-time leading wicket taker Chris Rushworth.
Rushworth, who took his 600th first class wicket this season, joins on a two-year contract with the option to extend for a further year depending on performances.
Until now, the right arm fast-medium pacer has been a one-club man during a career in the North East that’s seen him claim 821 scalps across all formats.
Head Coach Mark Robinson said: “I’m delighted Rushy has chosen us to join us. He’s keen to make a fresh start, hungry to succeed and will give us some real quality and obvious experience which at times we lacked last year.
“With the injuries we had last season our depth of bowling couldn’t cope so it’s important we are able to add some more quality and deepen our resources.
“He’s a wicket taker, make no mistake. He has 603 first class wickets to his name and he has told me he wants to come because he wants to win another County Championship before he retires which is exactly the language you want to hear.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming him to Edgbaston.”
Rushworth has been described by Durham Cricket Chairman Sir Ian Botham as “one of the best seam bowlers” English cricket has ever seen.
The 36-year-old – a former Professional Cricketers’ Association Player of the Season – took 34 wickets this summer during a landmark County Championship season.
Rushworth has first class career stats of 603 wickets at an average of 22.61.
And Durham’s Director of Cricket Marcus North, said: “Chris is an example to all young cricketers of what you can achieve when you combine talent with hard work and perseverance.”
Bowler Craig Miles has underlined his Bears commitment by signing a two-year contract extension.
The 28-year-old, who had one-year left on his previous deal, has put pen to paper on a new contract that will run until the end of the 2025 season.
Miles has become a key figure in all formats having joined from Gloucestershire in 2018.
The right-arm paceman shone during the Bears 2021 double-winning season, taking three wickets on the final day against Somerset to secure the County Championship, before adding a Bears career-best of 5 for 28 against Lancashire to help lift the Bob Willis Trophy at Lord’s.
During the 2022 campaign, Miles’ white ball skills were rewarded with a call-up for the Northern Supercharges in The Hundred following a senior role in the attack, which saw Miles take a career-best 20 wickets.
In total, the Swindon-born seamer has 114 wickets from 61 matches in all formats for the Bears.
Miles said: “I’m absolutely delighted to secure my future at the Bears.
“Since joining the Club, I have loved every minute and I can’t wait to build on our recent successes over the next three years.
“Winning the County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy in 2021 fulfilled a lifelong dream and those memories will always stay with me.
“When negotiations were opened, I was determined to stay at the Club and as a 28-year-old I feel I have my best years ahead of me.”
And batter Sam Hain has signed a contract extension ensuring he remains a Bear until at least the end of the 2025 season.
The 27-year-old, who had one year remaining on his existing deal, will be looking to build on a career that’s putting him amongst the Club’s legendary figures.
Making his List A debut in 2013, following a recommendation by former Warwickshire captain Michael Powell for a trial, Hain has found plenty of success, winning the One Day Cup in 2016 and the County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy in 2021.
On the field, Hain has become a mainstay in the heart of the Bears middle-order amassing 10,228 runs in 228 appearances with 21 centuries spread across all formats.
A popular player amongst the players and Members, Hain has already become the Bears leading T20 run scorer with 2,729 runs having overtaken Ian Bell in 2021.
Following a strong year in red ball cricket this season with 1,137 runs (three centuries), the right-hander will be looking to add to his England Lions experience with national side.
Hain said: “When discussions started on a new contract, I was desperate to sign and extend my stay.
“This Club means everything to me and having lived in Birmingham for nearly ten years this is certainly my home.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to have been a part of some special moments alongside some incredibly close friends.
“I can’t wait to build on what we’ve achieved over the next few years.”
