Westwood resigns as Warwickshire captain

Ian Westwood has stepped down as Warwickshire captain after two years in charge to concentrate on his batting following a poor 2010 season.

Warwickshire had mixed returns last season, narrowly avoiding relegation in the Championship but winning the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Lord's in September.

Westwood decided not to play in that final, handing the captaincy to England batsman Ian Bell, saying that he was not worthy of a place in the team's best XI. He averaged only 12.87 in the Friends Provident t20 and 25.92 Championship in 2010 but actually fared a lot better in the CB 40, making 166 runs at 33.20.

It ends a period in charge of the side that Westwood had dreamed of captaining since boyhood. "Since I was a youngster it was my ambition to lead Warwickshire onto the field as club captain. To achieve this at the start of the 2009 season was a dream come true for me. However, I feel my own performances have suffered at times during my period as skipper and I have reluctantly decided to stand down from the role.

"It has been a real pleasure to work closely with our director of cricket, Ashley Giles. As a team we have made some real strides forward over the last two seasons and I am looking forward to remaining part of this exciting, talented squad for many years to come."

Warwickshire have made a number of signings during the off season and Westwood's likely successor could be William Porterfield, the Ireland captain, who moved from Gloucestershire. Giles commended Westwood for his effort and backed him to return to form next season.

"Ian has made some major sacrifices whilst taking on this role and he has learnt a great deal about leadership as well as his own game," said Giles. "It has been a real pleasure working closely with him and we want to place on record our thanks and appreciation for everything he has given to Warwickshire during this period. I feel sure that in removing the pressures of captaincy from his shoulders we will benefit by seeing the best of him as a batsman in the future."