T20 Blast 2015: Chris Woakes says Birmingham ready to defend title
'It will be nice to be in the same team as McCullum for a change!'
Tuesday 19 May 2015 13:37, UK
Chris Woakes says Birmingham Bears are primed and ready to defend their T20 Blast title.
The Edgbaston outfit won the tournament last year on home turf following a four-run victory over Lancashire Lightning in the final, Laurie Evans smoking 53 before Oliver Hannon-Dalby completed a three-wicket haul.
Birmingham will be bolstered this term by the arrival of Brendon McCullum - the New Zealand skipper will play in the club's last seven group games - and Woakes insists his club are relishing being the team to beat.
"Being champions brings added pressure as everyone will be wanting to beat us, but I know the lads are excited."
"Winning the T20 Blast last year was a great day here for us at Edgbaston," Woakes, who is currently recovering from knee surgery, told Sky Sports.
"Being champions brings added pressure, I suppose, as everyone will be wanting to beat us, but I know the lads are excited and looking forward to the challenge ahead."
McCullum is inked in to make his Bears debut in the clash with Lancashire on June 26 following the culmination of New Zealand's tour of England.
The 33-year-old spanked bowlers for boundaries at will during the Black Caps' surge to the World Cup Final, with England feeling his power in a Pool A encounter when he creamed a 25-ball 77.
Woakes was a part of that England attack so knows just how much of a coup the acquisition of McCullum is for his county, who will once again hold Finals Day on August 29.
"It will be nice to have him on our team for a change, rather than bowling at him!" said Woakes. "It's a great signing for the club after the World Cup he had, so credit to everyone who made it happen.
“I’m sure the boys in the South Group will be looking forward to bowling at him at Taunton, in probably the smallest ground on the county circuit!"
"It will not only be brilliant for the players in the dressing room but also the fans, who will get to see a world-class player up close and personal."
McCullum is currently starring for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, with the talented right-hander cracking the first century of the 2015 tournament against Sunrisers Hyderabad in mid-April.
Woakes reckons England will eventually adopt a franchise-based system like the IPL but is adamant there is little wrong with the current set-up.
Live NatWest T20 Blast Cricket
"We have seen franchise cricket around the world work and maybe it will happen at some point and we will follow suit as it seems the way forward," added Woakes.
"But the T20 Blast is still of a high standard so I don’t think we’re too far behind – if behind at all – the other countries in the world."
Watch Birmingham Bears open their T20 Blast campaign against Nottinghamshire Outlaws, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 6pm on Friday, May 15.
