Warwickshire confirm name change for T20 Blast
Warwickshire have announced they will again play under their county name in the T20 Blast from next summer.
The club rebranded to the Birmingham Bears for the game’s shortest format in 2014 in a bid to appeal to the city’s wider community.
But they will now revert back to being called the Warwickshire Bears in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, with chief executive Stuart Cain explaining the decision had been based partly on feedback received from members.
“Warwickshire has and always will be at the heart of who we are,” said Cain. “It’s our identity and has been for well over a century.
“Over a decade ago, the club decided to be bold with a city-based name for our T20 team and it saw attendances grow to record levels and attract new fans to the Bears.
“But with our long-term future in mind, and following feedback from Members through the Members Committee, now is the right time for change.
“We represent the county and that’s what returning to Warwickshire Bears is about.”
The original name change coincided with the Bears winning their only T20 Blast title, beating Lancashire in the 2014 final.
Despite regularly reaching the knockout stages in recent years, the club has suffered frustration with five consecutive quarter-final defeats.
The women’s team reached the final of the inaugural women’s T20 Blast last summer.
