Warwickshire issues fresh contracts to George Panayi and Liam Banks for 2 years

The Warwickshire County Cricket Club has issued fresh contracts to George Panayi, Liam Banks and Australian Ryan Sidebottom. After graduating from Warwickshire CCC Academy last year, the 19-year-old right-arm pacer, Panayi, who made his first-class debut in June 2017.

Panayi has played three four-day games and a solitary one-dayer for England Under-19. His batchmate who graduated alongside at the Warwickshire CCC Academy, Liam Banks, is yet to make his debut for the senior side. After signing for Birmingham & District Premier League champions Berkswell at the beginning of the season, signed with the Bears last month after appearing for a trial.

Ashley Giles optimistic about the future of the trio

“Our transformation process is very much underway and George Panayi, Liam and Ryan have important roles to play in helping the club return to challenging for honours across all formats.George experienced Championship cricket earlier this summer and made a good impression, taking four wickets and bowling with good pace and control against international batsmen,” commented the Sports Director at Warwickshire CCC and former England spinner, Ashley Giles.

“Liam has shown great promise across all formats of the game in the second team, with stand-out innings of 181 against Derbyshire in the Championship in May. His goal now is to push for a place in the first team by scoring heavily on a more consistent basis,” added Giles according to Cricbuzz.

Ryan has been an excellent addition to the squad and we’ve been pleased with his performances in the three championship games that he’s played to date, with his 13 wickets coming at an average of just 18.3. He’s worked incredibly hard to reach the professional ranks at this stage of his career and we look forward to seeing him challenge for a place in other formats of the game next season,