Fighting fit Dean not done yet after club spell
INJURIES and age may appear to be slowing Dean Cosker down but the Glamorgan spinner insists his love of the game is as strong as ever – highlighted by his spell at Newport in the South Wales Premier League this season.
The 38-year-old has not played fourday cricket in over 12 months but remains a key part of Glamorgan’s T20 Blast side that is set for the quarter-finals after success in the South Group.
A less hectic schedule allowed him to join Newport at the beginning of the season, and his experience helped at the weekend as his 2-24 contributed to their five-wicket win over Mumbles.
The left-armer insists he is mainly there to offer guidance and support, but believes the benefit of bowling keeps him sharp and ready for Glamorgan.
“I have played three or four times for Newport this year and I love it. For me, it is less about what happens out there on the pitch but more what impact I can have,” he said.
“If I can give them a few tips and then show the young guys how professional you need to be to play for a team like Glamorgan than that is great, it works both ways.
“I live between Newport and Cardiff, and my kids get down too so it is nice to give something back to the game – I am at the stage now where things like that become important.
“I am going to keep my options open for when I finish. I have been in the game for a long time and now I am just enjoying my cricket and wanting to give something back.”
Cosker, whose contributions helped Newport establish a four-point lead in South Wales, urges more professional players to get involved in the club scene when they are not automatic picks for their counties.
And while he admits the South Wales league is nowhere near the same quality as the professional game, the veteran believes it can help struggling players rediscover their form and confidence away from the rigours of first-class cricket.
“The quality in the South Wales league is high because a lot of ex-Glamorgan players turn out for a lot of the sides, and so it can be quite close,” he said.
“The challenge the league is facing is making pitches which are consistent and fair, as opposed to some which are perfect for seam players and some which suit spinners and then some that are helpful for batsmen.
“But it is a great place to turn the arm over and get a few wickets – which is always nice – and then for the batsmen who are out of shape to come and bat for 50 overs.”
Cosker’s season has been littered with injuries but he is aiming to have his say in the second half of the season, as Glamorgan home in on the knock-out stages of both one-day competitions.
“I have had a stop-start season with Glamorgan due to injury and things take a lot longer to recover from, but I am fully fit now and ready to help out the boys,” he said.
“I hurt my groin a few weeks ago but the run-out on Saturday showed I am 100 per cent fit now, so I am looking to get back in and games like that really help you do that.
“I am not first choice anymore but I can add experience and know-how so if they need me to do a job in the 50-over game and the t20 game then I can.”