Durham cooking up a storm with Stephen
DURHAM’S new overseas batsman Stephen Cook has revealed that he has achieved a boyhood dream after signing his deal to play county cricket.
The South African batsman has wanted to play in England ever since he watched his father Jimmy Cook play for Somerset, where he scored a mountain of runs during the Eighties and Nineties.
Stephen will play for Durham before taking on England this summer.
He said: “Ever since I was a young boy, watching my dad play for Somerset, I always dreamed of one day playing county cricket.
“Now, in linking up with Durham, I am getting to live out that dream.”
Coach Jon Lewis had been chasing the 34-year-old for some time, and said: “I initially spoke to Stephen at the end of last season when I knew Scott (Borthwick) was going, and I always felt his salary might be available to us.
“He was never going to be anything other than an overseas player for us. He’s worked very hard to get into the international arena, so he’s not going to give it away now by joining someone as a Kolpak player.
“Coming over before the South Africa Test series will benefit him in some way, but all counties sign overseas players and everyone who comes over learns about playing cricket in England.”
WORCESTERSHIRE batsman Tom Fell has been tipped as a future England player.
Fell, who has twice beaten cancer, is very highly rated by Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes.
Rhodes said: “He has got potential to definitely go a long way in cricket and play for England.
“He has got the potential to do that, definitely.
“All he needs to do is put those numbers together consistently and do better than others who are challenging for it. He can do it!
“Tom is a classy young player and the time is right for him to have a big year, and that’s exactly what he will be looking to do, to be available all season long and hopefully put in some good numbers.
“He got 1,000 runs in Division One, but it was not a surprise to me that he did well because he is one of our better players.
“He has got a lovely calm nature and way of playing, is unflustered. He doesn’t seem to be affected by pressure and those are really good attributes.”