Publisher's Synopsis
In county cricket the year 2004 was truly the "Year of the Bear" as Warwickshire came from nowhere to clinch the championship for only the sixth time in their history. It was a success that no-one saw coming. Consolidation was expected in Nick Knight's first season as captain. But Knight struck up an immediate rapport with coach John Inverarity. They found the formula to get the best out of their emerging squad and Warwickshire hit the top of the First Division in early June and were never seriously threatened. It was a success fuelled by runs. Brilliantly led by Knight and Ian Bell, the Bears travelled the country tearing up batting records as they went. As bowlers nationwide toiled, Warwickshire passed 400 in 10 successive first-innings - double the previous record by any county. A sensational win at home to Surrey in May set the ball rolling. Victory over Middlesex at Lord's, where Knight struck a monumental triple-century, increased the momentum. And that momentum was to carry them through the entire championship season unbeaten - a rare and impressive feat in itself - as the title was clinched with a game to spare.;It was a fairy-tale start to Knight's leadership and a magnificent effort by a team which knew how to win but, just as important, were prepared to dig in and fight when things went against them. After Sussex's romantic triumph in 2003, Warwickshire's in 2004 proved again what a fascinating and delightfully unpredictable business county cricket remains. Brian Halford is the cricket and sports features writer for the Birmingham Evening Mail. This is his second cricket book following the well-received "100 Years of Test Cricket at Edgbaston". He has also written the definitive history of Lincoln City Football Club, "Past Imperfect" and collaborated with former Manchester United youth football supremo Eric Harrison on his autobiography "A View From The Dugout." Formerly with the Leamington Spa Courier and Lincolnshire Echo, Halford has worked for the Birmingham Post and Mail since 2000 and, a frequent contributor on local radio, has become a highly-respected figure.
