Nice guys finish first as Bamber and Woakes help Warwickshire seal slow-burn title | Ali Martin

Two bowlers often described as ‘the nicest guys in cricket’ played starring roles as the Bears outlasted the County Championship competition Ethan Bamber may be an adopted Brummie but it’s fair to say he has the city’s self-effacing nature down to a tee. After sealing Warwickshir

Two bowlers often described as ‘the nicest guys in cricket’ played starring roles as the Bears outlasted the County Championship competition Ethan Bamber may be an adopted Brummie but it’s fair to say he has the city’s self-effacing nature down to a tee. After sealing Warwickshire’s ninth County Championship with one final explosion of bails, and watching captain Ed Barnard lift the trophy to cheers of “You Bears” from the stands, Bamber tried to credit anyone but himself and even claimed to be an “average cricketer”. Average?

Not so fast. No bowler in Division One has sent down more than Bamber’s 445.3 overs this year, nor can top the 69 wickets that he finished on after rattling Tom Scriven’s timbers to wrap up a comprehensive innings and 79-run victory over Leicestershire. The 27-year-old ploughed through all 14 games of the campaign, with his waspish brand of wobble-seam and swing consistently undermining batting line-ups in this slow-burn triumph.

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