Kent bowler Simon Cook vows to remain in the game despite Kent withdrawing offer of new contract
by Andrew
Gidley
Simon Cook has insisted he wants to
carry on playing county cricket, despite being set to leave
Kent at the end of the summer.
Cook’s seven years at the St Lawrence
ground will come to an end after the county withdrew a potential
offer for next season.
And while Cook (pictured) is keen
to pursue a career in coaching, he stated that he still has designs
on extending his playing days.
He said: “I haven’t ruled out playing
for another county. I haven’t spoken to anyone but I am open to
offers.”
The 35-year-old medium pacer (pictured)
had hoped to finish his playing career with Kent but no offer was
on the table after an initial idea about him taking over as 2nd XI
captain wasn’t pursued.
“It was made for me,” said Cook. “I was
told there was no playing contract available in its existing
terms.
“The club then spoke to me about a role
helping to mentor the youngsters but came back a few days later
saying they didn’t want to go down that route. It was definitely
not in my plans to leave.”
The former Middlesex man, who joined
Kent in 2005, has taken 174 wickets in 75 first-class games,
including a career-best 6-35 against Sussex two years later. He
scored 1,230 runs in 99 first-class innings, with a top score of 71
against Yorkshire at Headingley in 2006.
Cook has spent the last two-and-a-half
years completing his Level 4 coaching award.
“I have spoken to the ICC about working
with some of the associate nations,” he added.
“There are many other areas to explore but
with only 18 first- class counties and only a certain amount of
jobs available, you have to be in the right place at the right
time.”
Do you think Cook was worth a new contract? Have your
say below.
06/09/12
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