By Clive Eakin, BBC CWR
The spotlight of Mark Robinson’s four-year tenure was profitable the County Championship at his first try – the Bears’ first title in 9 years.
Hampered by accidents and the dearth of availability of their marquee abroad signings, the Bears had been unable to recapture such heights.
They did end a decent fourth place in 2023 however battled towards relegation both facet of that yr, most notably in 2022 when Liam Norwell’s last-day heroics secured an unlikely escape.
Nonetheless, Robinson can level out the Bears are one among solely 5 counties to have preserved their first division standing 4 years working for the reason that resumption of two divisions in 2022.
Expectations are excessive at Edgbaston, and the failure to be at their very own T20 Blast Finals Day get together since 2017 has been a supply of angst amongst supporters. But the Bears have dominated the group levels, topping their pool in every of the final three seasons.
However the quarter-final stage has been their graveyard, and this summer season’s defeat by eventual winners Gloucestershire was the final straw for a lot of followers.
Ian Westwood now steps up 24 years after making his first group debut as a participant. He is been captain and assistant coach and is a throwback to previous incumbents who got here by way of the ranks, equivalent to Dougie Brown, Ashley Giles and Jim Troughton.
With Robinson having seen off two efficiency administrators in Paul Farbrace and Gavin Larsen, Westwood will need a good working relationship with the brand new appointment, which is predicted imminently.