Will Young and Manav Suthar back at Warwickshire for title run-in

Warwickshire have confirmed the return of New Zealand batter Will Young and India left-arm spinner Manav Suthar for the closing stretch of the 2026 County Championship season. Young has been cleared for six remaining Division One fixtures, while Suthar joins for four matches before departing to join the India squad ahead of a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in August.

The Bears sit just five points behind the Division One leaders and are pushing for a first County Championship title since 2021. The dual confirmation adds considerable experience to Warwickshire’s squad at a moment when every match carries significant weight. 

“We’re very pleased to welcome both Will and Manav back to the Bears after both players made a real impact when they were last with the Club. We’ve played some good red-ball cricket already this season, and both players will now bring additional quality at a crucial time of the campaign where we are in the mix for the title.

“Will adds experience to our batting line-up, especially with Beau Webster’s time at the Club over for the season, while Manav showed earlier this year that he has the ability to change a game with the ball as well as adding crucial runs,” James Thomas said in a statement released by the club.

What does Will Young bring to Warwickshire’s batting line-up?

Young is no stranger to Edgbaston, having turned out for the county across three matches at the end of 2025. During that stint he posted an average of 53, with a top score of 72 against Surrey in his opening innings, underlining his comfort in English conditions.

The 33-year-old carries a substantial First-Class record, having accumulated more than 8,700 runs across 143 matches, with 16 centuries and 52 half-centuries to his name. At Test level for New Zealand, he has passed fifty on 11 occasions and surpassed 1,200 runs. Across all formats for his country since his international debut in 2020, Young has gone beyond 3,000 runs. His arrival is particularly timely given that Beau Webster’s stint with the club has already concluded for the season.

What is Manav Suthar’s recent form and why does his stint end after four games?

Suthar made an immediate impression during his first spell with Warwickshire in 2026, claiming 11 wickets across two matches and registering a maiden five-wicket haul for the club. The 23-year-old left-arm finger-spinner has taken 147 wickets in 32 First-Class matches in total, marking him as one of the more potent spin options available in county cricket this season.

His international credentials are equally compelling. Suthar made his Test debut for India against Afghanistan and took 6 for 33 in the first innings, a performance that earned him the Player of the Match award as India won comprehensively. His selection in India’s 15-player squad for the Sri Lanka Tests in August means his County Championship availability is limited to four fixtures before international duty calls.

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