“For the future of English cricket, it’s a great chance for some of these youngsters to come through and play some proper first-team cricket.”

With senior players away at The Hundred, a number of counties have taken the opportunity to give young talent a chance in the 50-over competition, several of them still teenagers.

Warwickshire had Hamza Shaikh and Tazeem Ali, both 18, and 19-year-old Kai Smith in their side against Gloucestershire.

“The main aim in any comp is to win it but we wanted to get some young lads in. Hamza has batted at four for the whole comp,” Barnard added.

“Young Taz and Jake (Lintott) bowled really well as two leg-spinners, one right, one left. Taz especially to the short boundary, I thought he did brilliantly.”

Barnard has a List A batting average of almost 45 and has taken 450 wickets in all formats in his career but is still waiting for a chance at senior international level.

On his own form, the 28-year-old former Worcestershire player said he felt his game was “in as good a place as it’s ever been”.

“I’ve got to a point now where I know my game really well so I can go out there and just worry about executing, rather than – when you’re younger – a lot of the stuff you just cloud your head with,” he added.

“I’m sure there’ll be a dip in form at some point and I’m going to have to remember these days. They’re obviously nice to look back on and have those achievements.

“When I’m batting I forget that I’m captain, really. Obviously, when you’re in the field, it’s a bit busier in your head, juggling bowlers but I’ve really enjoyed it.”