Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...
Fixture: Warwickshire v Derbyshire
Venue: Edgbaston
Dates: Thursday, April 8, 2021-Sunday, April 11, 2021
Start time: 11am
What’s the lowdown?
Under the leadership of new head coach Mark Robinson, Warwickshire will be aiming for a fast start in Group 1 of the new-look County Championship.
A tough set of fixtures includes matches against Essex, Nottinghamshire, Durham and Worcestershire, so victory over lesser-fancied Derbyshire will be critical.
Robinson replaced Jim Troughton over the winter, with Troughton sacked following a review into the first team’s poor performances in 2020.
Derbyshire, who go into the new season reliant on a talented but young arsenal of young seam bowlers, will look to veterans Wayne Madsen and Billy Godleman to do the bulk of the runscoring.
What’s the team news?
Chris Woakes is away at the Indian Premier League. Warwickshire can call on Dom Sibley following his winter away with England.
Warwickshire are set to be without an overseas player for the fixture. Their original signing, Pieter Malan, has experienced visa difficulties. Media reports in India have claimed Hanuma Vihari will replace Malan for three matches, but Vihari is not expected to be available for the game against Derbyshire.
Warwickshire squad: Will Rhodes, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Henry Brookes, Michael Burgess, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Sam Hain, Matt Lamb, Craig Miles, Dan Mousley, Liam Norwell, Dom Sibley, Rob Yates.
Overseas signing Billy Stanlake has not yet joined up with the Derbyshire squad, as his Queensland side are still involved in the Marsh Cup in Australia.
George Scrimshaw is named in the squad after he claimed three wickets against Lancashire in pre-season. Brooke Guest, Anuj Dal and Fynn Hudson-Prentice are also named in the squad.
Derbyshire squad: Billy Godleman, Luis Reece, Anuj Dal, Leus du Plooy, Wayne Madsen, Matt Critchley, Harvey Hosein, Brooke Guest, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Michael Cohen, Ben Aitchison, Sam Conners, George Scrimshaw
Who’s said what?
Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes has been emphasising the club’s target of a place in the top two of their group, which would keep dreams of a Championship title alive.
“Everything we have spoken about as a squad in the last few weeks has been about getting into that top two,” he told the Bears’ official website. “That is a massive goal for us. We are in a very tough group but want to get into that top two and believe we have the squad to do it.
“We have got two winners driving us on in Farby (Paul Farbrace) and Robbo (Robinson). They are looking to win again and I think that is starting to rub off on the squad. It would be amazing to win a trophy this year and have something to show for all hard yards that the guys have out in this winter. But winning a trophy doesn’t come easy. You don’t just click your fingers, you have got to sustain a very high level performance.”
What’s the weather forecast?
A cold start to the new season.
Little chance of rain but Saturday is not a day the slips will enjoy, with the mercury not getting above six degrees.
Keep up to date with the Met Office’s rolling forecast for Edgbaston: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Warwickshire offer a live stream facility via the Match Centre on their website. Click here
The service is also available via the county’s YouTube channel. Click here
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Subscribe today and receive The Cricketer’s centenary issue – six issues for £19.21. Click here
OTHER TEAM PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
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