Warwickshire: Bears must spread wickets around – Hannon-Dalby

The one other winter change at Edgbaston was OHD’s election as the new chair of the Professional Cricketers Association – the 16th to be chosen since it formed in 1967.

“I’m 35 and I’ve been Warwickshire PCA rep for 10 years,” he said. “And I’ve always been a massive fan of the PCA in terms of what they do and how they help players.

“The opportunity arose to apply for it and I thought ‘why not? It went through a voting process, I had to submit a manifesto – and the players from around the country voted me in, which is a huge honour.”

Like most native Yorkshiremen, the man from Halifax is a great talker on the game., external

“It’s something to get my teeth stuck into,” he said. “I’ve only been in the job a month so I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I’m doing but I’m keen to help any man or woman around the country playing professional cricket.

“Cricket gets a bit of a battering at times when it shouldn’t but we’ve got a brilliant, vibrant domestic game in this country which should be celebrated.

“Of course there are issues, but there’s always been issues. The schedule has been an issue as long as the PCA has been in existence.

“All the money that’s coming into the game from the Hundred sales all needs to be debated. But I just want to help protect the game, help it advance and look after it so it’s still there to be enjoyed for many years to come.”