Birmingham Bears ready to move on from disappointing 2019

T20 BLAST PREVIEW: Only net run rate kept the Bears off the bottom of the North Division last year. This year, without their overseas spinners Chris Green and Ashton Agar, they will be hoping for much, much better...

Coach: Jim Troughton

Captain: Will Rhodes

Overseas: Jeetan Patel

Last season: 8th, North Division

Fixtures: August 28 - Somerset (h), August 30 - Birmingham Bears (a), September 1 - Northamptonshire (a), September 2 - Gloucestershire (h), September 4 - Somerset (a), September 11 - Glamorgan (h), September 13 - Worcestershire (a), September 15 - Gloucestershire (a), September 18 - Worcestershire (h), September 20 - Northamptonshire (h)

How did they do last year?

The Bears only suffered two wash-outs last summer yet but for net run rate, they would have finished bottom of the North Division. Indeed, the gap to Leicestershire Foxes was only 0.004 come the end of a turbulent campaign which included injury to a host of key players.

There were some remarkable quirks about the Bears 2019 campaign. They were unbeaten after three matches. They took four points off table-toppers Lancashire. And yet, only Glamorgan won fewer matches.

Defeats were harrowing and by large margins. Perhaps the most galling was the nine-wicket loss to Worcestershire, who chased down 185 with eight balls to spare. Losing Ashton Agar early in the campaign was a blow and though replacement Chris Green was economic, they lacked a killer instinct with the ball.

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Who are their key players?

Sam Hain: No player to feature in 12 or fewer Blast matches scored more runs than the England hopeful, who is turning heads in county cricket. Eoin Morgan even found himself having to half-apologise for the omission of the batsman for the Ireland ODIs. He averaged more than Dawid Malan on his way to scoring 459 runs in a dozen innings.

Since last summer he has been to Australia with the Lions and looks ready for the next step up. Another season of success with the Bears should continue that trajectory.

Henry Brookes: During a dreary campaign, Brooks was a rare bright spot with 13 wickets at 24.69. Perhaps yet to have control at this level, he clearly has a knack of breaking partnerships.

Another star who was called up by England earlier in the summer. Has already had a fair share of injuries, but as a bowler who can hit 90mph at his very best, he is a fine asset to have.

What are their biggest strengths?

There is plenty of experience to call on in the form of the fit-again Ian Bell, World Cup winner Tim Bresnan, spinner Jeetan Patel and seamer Oliver Hannon Dalby.

Adam Hose and Sam Hain provide class up the order and if he recaptures full fitness Olly Stone will want to make an impression this summer. And with Dom Sibley to return, there will be few disruptions caused by England.

Where might they have a weakness?

Behind 40-year-old Patel, who is available after visa issues prevented him from joining the England coaching staff for the Pakistan Test series, there are few credible spin options. Alex Thomson was expensive last year and without Green or Agar there appears to be a lack of support for Patel.

Chances of reaching Finals Day?

Class throughout means reaching the knock-out phase should be the least of their ambitions.

Strongest XI: Dom Sibley, Sam Hain, Ian Bell, Adam Hose, Matt Lamb, Will Rhodes, Michael Burgess, Henry Brookes, Jeetan Patel, Olly Stone, Olly Hannon-Dalby

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