Warwickshire cricket announces incoming president

Former Warwickshire County Cricket Club player Jamie McDowall (pictured) will become the next President of the Club, replacing the outgoing Dennis Amiss following the conclusion of his three-year term.

McDowall, who has strong ties to the county having been born and raised in Warwickshire, takes on the role after receiving Honorary Life Membership in 2019.

As a cricketer, McDowall impressed throughout the amateur ranks, making his first appearance for Warwickshire Second XI at the age of 15 before going on to play professionally while studying at Cambridge University.

Whilst at Cambridge, he would get his first taste of First-Class cricket as he made 17 appearances for the University team.

In 1969, McDowall made his debut in the Warwickshire First XI and would go on to make 11 more appearances over the next four years as a wicketkeeper batsman. He also made several appearances for the MCC.

Since retiring from the professional game, McDowall has played a key role in off-field duties for the club, serving on the General Committee from 1973 to 2018 before becoming an Honorary Life Member seven years ago.

Warwickshire chief executive Stuart Cain said: “I would firstly like to thank Dennis for everything he has done for our Club in not only his time as President, but in his 70-year association with the Bears.

“His formal duties may have now concluded but I know he will remain a frequent visitor to Edgbaston and we look forward to seeing him around at Bears’ matches.

“In Jamie we have somebody taking over who is incredibly passionate about Warwickshire and knows what it means to be a Bear. Like Dennis, he joined the club as a schoolboy and has seen the Club blossom throughout the years into what it is today.

“Having spoken with Jamie at length, he is excited for what the future holds and is proud to be our President at such a progressive time in our history. Everybody at Warwickshire wishes him all the best in his role.”

Incoming president Jamie McDowall said: “I regard this as a great honour. I’ve been here since I was a boy when I first joined as a player and to end up as President is a great honour and real privilege.

“Dennis is a hard act to follow in that he has achieved so much as a player, administrator and president and I shall do my very best to follow in his footsteps.

“It’s an exciting time for the club with the redevelopment of the stand, strong squads across both men and women and everything we are doing off the pitch.

“The role of President is to support the club in whatever way I can. It’s a club with a deep rooted and rich history which I’m proud to have the opportunity to represent as President over the next two years.”

Jamie McDowall’s appointment as President will be formally ratified at the Annual General Meeting, which takes place on Thursday, 30 April.