Bears spinner agrees new deal on eve of T20 Blast

The 32-year-old has signed the deal on the eve of the T20 Vitality Blast, a competition in which he is again poised to play a key role for the Bears.

Lintott, a left-arm wrist spinner, was the club’s second highest wicket taker in last year’s tournament.

A former teacher, he joined the Bears in 2020, initially on trial, before signing his first professional contract the following year.

“I love this club,” said Lintott. “They’ve shown me great support and the opportunity to be a professional cricketer. 

“That was my dream as a kid and before Warwickshire showed faith in me, I thought that dream was gone. It’s nice to repay them with seven years of service and hopefully there will be a few more to come.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new deal. This club holds a special place in my heart. It’ll be seven years here at the end of this contract. I’ve enjoyed every minute and the opportunity to extend that was a no-brainer really.”

The Bears, who open their campaign away at Nottinghamshire on Friday evening, enter this year’s tournament looking to shake-off their quarter-final hoodoo having been knocked out at that stage in each of the last four seasons.

That is despite topping the North Group for the past three years and Lintott said: “I’d love to win a trophy with this club. 

“Our performances in the last few years warrant it, we just need to get over the line in those knock-out games. 

“The talent around this place and the young talent coming through, the club is in a really good position. It’s an exciting squad to be a part of.”

Lintott’s early form for the Bears saw him drafted by Southern Brave for the inaugural Hundred competition but he has found his chances in franchise cricket limited more recently.

He added: “It’s a big year for me, no secret about that. I want to get back to playing at the highest level in competitions around the world. 

“To do that I have to put in good performances for the Bears and take lots of wickets. That’s what I’m in the team for.

“Overall I’m very pleased with how I’ve performed, apart from a tricky year in 2023.

“Left arm wrist spinners are rare so I think I still offer sides something out of the ordinary. I’ve played against all the teams a lot though now, batters know me more and will come up with plans against me.

“So the challenge is to keep evolving and finding ways to be as effective as I can be, to shut down those options that batters potentially go to now.”