Durham CCC can confirm that Ian Blackwell will go on loan to Warwickshire CCC for an initial one month period with immediate effect
Ian Blackwell said, “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to go on loan to Warwickshire and play some first team cricket. It’s been frustrating not being selected at Durham and I’m keen to get out there and prove, not only my fitness, but also that I can still make match winning contributions. I want to be back playing for Durham and this is a means of achieving that.”
Head Coach Geoff Cook added, “This is a great opportunity for Ian to play first class cricket and get some time in the middle against strong opposition. Our current first eleven have built some real momentum in four day cricket and as a result opportunities for Ian to break back into the squad, due to the conditions and surfaces that we have been faced with, have been limited.
“We took him to Notts in order to try and give him a game if the conditions were right however as that wasn’t the case it is important for him to get some cricket under his belt and going on loan to Warwickshire allows him to do that.”
Ashley Giles, Director of Cricket at Warwickshire CCC, said: “Ian is a very experienced cricketer, with almost 400 First Class wickets and international honours. With Jeetan Patel away for the next four weeks after winning a call-up to New Zealand’s tour of India, Ian will play an important role as the senior spinner in the team.
“He joins us after taking seven wickets against Australia A two weeks ago, and with key matches coming up in the LV County Championship and CB40, we’re very pleased to secure his services. I would like to thank Geoff Cook and Durham for allowing us to bring Ian to Warwickshire on loan.”