DURHAM LEGEND COOK TO LEAVE WITH ‘HEAVY HEART’
COUNTY ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR OF CRICKET TO STEP DOWN AS PART OF ‘STAFFING RESTRUCTURE’
Durham County Cricket Club have confirmed that longstanding director of cricket, Geoff Cook, is set to leave his role following a staffing restructure.
A former England cricketer, Cook initially joined in 1991 and has taken up several roles as he continued to help shape the club’s progression – including playing an instrumental role in their step-up to first class cricket.
After initially joining the club in 1991, following a first class career with Northamptonshire, Cook spent time as a first team coach.
Cook, 66, was then appointed as head coach in 2007 and immediately kick-started success, guiding Durham to the Friends Provident Trophy, a success which started a run of trophies that would include back-to-back Championship wins.
Having taken time off in 2013, Cook was then appointed as director of cricket - a role he has held ever since.
But now, the long-serving staff member will depart the Emirates Riverside having enjoyed an illustrious spell, which saw him help nurture the careers of Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Mark Stoneman and many more.
Cook said: “It comes with a heavy heart that I am leaving my role but I’m immensely proud of the work we have achieved.
“It’s been a privilege to work at Durham for so long and the memories will be with me forever.
“From establishing ourselves as a first-class county to our back-to-back title wins in 2007 and 2008, and the Championship triumph in 2013 were, alongside many more, the highlights of my career.
“Durham is a great club and will continue to improve, I’d like to wish them the best of luck going forward.”
Durham chairman Sir Ian Botham, added: “Geoff is a true legend of the club and his instrumental work has had an immeasurable impact on the success of Durham County Cricket Club.
“His efforts in establishing Durham as a first-class county and turning the team from newcomers to a titlewinning force will never be forgotten alongside his superb coaching achievements.”
“I would like to wish him the very best for the future.”
Durham’s Ben Stokes and England team-mate Alex Hales have been charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the England and Wales Cricket Board and will face a disciplinary hearing in December.
An independent Cricket Discipline Commission was tasked with leading an internal investigation into an incident involving the England pair outside a Bristol nightclub in September last year.
Stokes denied a charge of affray and was cleared following a seven-day trial at Bristol Crown Court last month.
However, the all-rounder and Hales will have to answer to two counts of breaching ECB Directive 3.3, which states: “No participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute.”
The CDC, which has the remit to impose penalties including an unlimited fine or suspension and termination of registration, ruled the disciplinary panel hearings will be held in London on Wednesday, December 5, and Friday, December 7.
Former Derbyshire cricketer Tim O’Gorman will chair the three-person panel, which also contains ex-England and Gloucestershire left-arm seamer Mike Smith.
The disciplinary inquiry was shelved until the conclusion of criminal proceedings against Stokes, with Hales not charged.