After a strong three wins in their first three games, the Birmingham Bears showed that they were one of the teams to beat in the Vitality Blast 2022. With the likes of Chris Benjamin and Paul Stirling batting extremely well, the Bears were performing seamlessly. However, since then their results have been less solid.
Currently, the Bears have five wins from their eight matches, placing them third in the championship. Just three points back from Lancashire lightning, the chance of a victory in the league is still far from impossible. With the Finals Day being hosted by Edgbaston, it would be great to see a Birmingham side feature in front of a home crowd.
In terms of the squad, the Birmingham Bears certainly one of the stronger outfits in the competition. Captain Carlos Brathwaite has been improving with both bat and ball in the last few games in particular. A veteran of the game, having played 195 matches in his T20 career, he will be a great asset to the side when the more important matches come around.
Star Players So Far
The star batsman so far is a tough call between Paul Stirling and Chris Benjamin. Stirling certainly had the better start of the two, scoring a match-winning 119 runs against Northants. The fact that this was in a game reduced to sixteen overs per side makes this all the more impressive. However, Benjamin has scored the most runs for the Birmingham Bears across the eight matches. With 218 runs, his overall impact on the team is self-evident. If both of these players, along with the likes of Sam Hain and Adam Hose, can find form in the remaining matches then Birmingham will stand in good stead to make Finals Day.
On the bowling side, Jake Lintott and Danny Briggs have been fundamental to the Birmingham Bears’ success. Lintott, with a real zero to hero story in the last few years, has taken thirteen wickets so far this season. With an economy of 7.25, his steady spin has limited the scores of the other teams. His performance against Notts Outlaws was particularly impressive, earning him the accolade of player of the game. Briggs, the leading Vitality Blast wicket taker of all time, has continued his form from past seasons. The only other Bears player to take more than ten wickets so far this season, Briggs has been consistently solid.
Overall, the Birmingham Bears are well placed for a strong finish to the season, particularly if their in-form players continue their form. With a short county championship break now before the next round of matches, the players will enjoy a rest from the intense Vitality Blast schedule. With a rematch against Notts Outlaws on 17th June, coming back with a bang could be difficult. The last match between the two sides ended with Birmingham coming out on top by just a single run, so this next match will certainly have some edge to it.