Ian Westwood seeks consistency from Warwickshire - and himself
Brian Halford talks to Warwickshire captain Ian Westwood about his ambitions for the forthcoming season.
Ian Westwood intends to “improve as both captain and batsman” during his second season as Warwickshire skipper.
Challenged to pick the main team objective for the season, which will begin with a home championship match against Yorkshire starting on April 9, Westwood does not hesitate in pinpointing consistency as the biggest area for improvement.
Warwickshire blew hot and cold last season, as encapsulated by their last two championship matches.
In the penultimate game they delivered their best all-round first-class cricket of the season to thrash Sussex by an innings and two runs at Hove.
Then they went up to Old Trafford and, even with Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott on board, took a ten-wicket trouncing by Lancashire.
But while Westwood, who took over the captaincy from Darren Maddy last season, will call for more consistency from his team, he will be making exactly the same demands of himself.
While his leadership of the side in 2009 was largely steady and impressive, his batting was erratic.
As an opening batsman, Westwood is an important component of the team quite apart from the captaincy and his tally of 605 runs from 23 championship innings, at an average of 30.25, is one he needs to comfortably exceed in 2010.
“As a team we have to be a bit more consistent,” Westwood said.
“Last season when we were good we were very good but when we were bad we were quite bad. We need to stay consistent throughout so that we can start challenging for those top spots.
“On a personal level I want to improve as both captain and batsman. I enjoyed my first year as captain but also found it hugely challenging.
