Will Rhodes gives up Warwickshire captaincy

Warwickshire have announced that Will Rhodes has stepped down as club captain after five seasons in the role.

Rhodes, 28, helped the club to claim a County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy double in 2021. Warwickshire were briefly in contention once again last season but only won one in six between May and September before finishing fourth.

The allrounder, who remarkably has never missed a first-class game since joining the club from Yorkshire ahead of the 2018 season, made 618 runs at 30.90 in 2023 and told the club that he wanted to focus on his form, as well as regaining a place in the T20 side.

"Coming to the club as 22-year-old I never thought I'd get such an opportunity to captain a great club like Warwickshire," Rhodes said.

"It's been an unbelievable honour. I was hugely grateful for the opportunity when Jim Troughton and Paul Farbrace asked me to do it. And with the support of Robbo [Mark Robinson, Warwickshire's head coach] and most recently Gavin Larsen I'd like to think I've made a positive contribution and helped take the club forward.

"I'm looking forward to next season, helping whoever will be the new captain, and hopefully giving them a bit of advice from the experience I've gained over the years. And most importantly, collectively pulling together to win as many games as possible for the club."

Warwickshire have yet to make a decision on Rhodes' successor but Robinson offered his personal thanks after the pair worked together as captain and coach for the past three seasons.

"He'll always be remembered as one of few players who've captained a side at Edgbaston to the County Championship," Robinson said. "I've planned and plotted tactics with Rhodesy for several year now and I would personally like to thank him for all the support he's given me as well as the wider club.

"Rhodesy obviously isn't retiring and will hopefully transition seamlessly into the ranks and continue helping us in our quest for success. But for now we thank him for all he has achieved with us as a leader."