Streak quits as Bears captain

Heath Streak is stepping down as captain of Warwickshire, with new signing Darren Maddy leading the team for the rest of the season.

Zimbabwean all-rounder Streak has made the decision because he claimed his game was affected by the position.

He explained on the club's official website, www.thebears.co.uk: "I have been contemplating this move for some time and I feel it is the right thing to do. The captaincy has been affecting my personal game."

The 33-year-old added: "Towards the end of last season Nick Knight helped me by making a number of the on-field decisions whilst I was bowling and we have adopted a similar approach in our pre and early season games this year using other senior players.

"It has been an honour to captain the Bears, but I have come to the conclusion that it is now in the team's best interest for someone else to take over the leadership role on a permanent basis.

"Darren has settled well at the club, he is on top of his game and is an ideal candidate for me to hand over to. I will do all I can to give him my full support and focus on getting some high quality, consistent performances under my belt. We have started well as a side and I am confident we will have a good season."

Maddy, who joined the county from Leicestershire in the winter, said: "It will be a real honour to lead out the side against Sussex. Streaky has taken a difficult personal decision but I am confident he will continue to give his all for the Bears.

"For my part I will be working as hard as I can to repay the confidence the club have placed in me by making this appointment."

Warwickshire's director of coaching, Mark Greatbatch, added: "It is testament to Heath's honesty and integrity as well as to his commitment to do what he believes is best for the team that he has taken this decision, having talked things through with myself and his vice-captain, Ashley Giles."