Warwickshire’s squad-building for next season has taken another step forward after all-rounder Neil Carter agreed a new contract at Edgbaston.
Carter has signed a two-year deal with the Bears. And while it would have been a surprise had he not re-committed himself to the county for whom he has played since 2001, Warwickshire are happy to have him secured again at a time when his explosive one-day talents constitute a highly marketable commodity.
The 33-year-old’s most recent action came for Middlesex on loan in the recent Stanford jamboree in the Caribbbean. He did not shine out there but certainly did so last season with Warwickshire.
His eighth season with the club saw him fitter than ever and, at times, bowl faster than ever as he took 67 wickets in all competitions.
He also played some typically robust and occasionally match-winning innings in the short formats.
“Carter’s obliteration of Northamptonshire’s bowlers in the Twenty20 at Campbell Park, with spectators scurrying for cover as he thundered to a 28-ball half-century, was an innings to live long in the memory. Warwickshire have few, if any, other players capable of playing such an innings. So chief executive Colin Povey is happy that Carter remains on board.
“Neil has signed a new contract and we are delighted with that,” Povey said.
“In the current environment he is exactly the sort player for which a lot of opportunities could open up.
“But he likes it here – and we like Neil Carter.
“He was in better shape, physically, than ever last season and played pretty well. If Neil gets it right he is a very destructive player – a match-winner with bat and ball. And those are the sort of guys you need.
“It doesn’t always come off, that showed when he was away with Middlesex recently.
“But he is a very good cricketer and if he gets going you are going to take some beating.”
