Lincolnshire sign Crook and Birch
Lincolnshire CCC have bolstered their ranks ahead of their Minor Counties campaign by snapping up former first-class stars Andrew Crook and Dan Birch.
Former Northamptonshire all-rounder Crook is a familiar face in county circles having shone for Woodhall Spa in the ECB Premier League in recent seasons.
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Dan Birch.
The Australian, who famously removed Nasser Hussain while playing for South Australia during England's Ashes tour of 1998/99, will be available for Lincs' final four Minor Counties Championship games and their one-day campaign.
Meanwhile, left-handed batsman Birch, 29, who was released by Derbyshire last year, is set to figure for the county in one-day cricket and their opening two three-day fixtures.
The signing of Crook ends the county's long-time pursuit of the player.
"I tried to sign him for last season, but we couldn't agree terms," explained Lincs director of cricket Mark Fell.
"He went on to sign for Cambridgeshire but only played two one-day games for them.
"And under Minor Counties rules you're only allowed to play for one minor county per season, so we had to wait until this season before signing him.
"He'll really help the balance of our side with his batting and bowling. We've been on the lookout for a quality spinner for some time, as they can really make a difference.
"His runs will be vital too. It's vital we make 325 in the first innings (the amount required for maximum bonus points in Championship games) on a regular basis.
"We didn't do that enough last season, which cost us dearly on several occasions."
One-day specialist Birch, who describes himself as an "aggressive, big-hitting batsman", will also boost the Imp County's batting order.
"I was quite surprised he was released by Derbyshire," added Fell. "He may have been a victim of the amount of Kolpak players coming into the game."
14 Comments
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by Matt, Lincoln
Monday, February 15 2010, 11:46AM
“Take away all the stuff about club cricket, these are two excellent signings for the county. Expectations must be very high as long as they can keep the three fast bowlers from BBH fit. Looking forward to seeing the firtst home county match at Woodhall Spa.”
by NCC, Lincoln
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 12:15AM
“Rob Cook has confirmed he is staying, and P.Cook has retired.”
by skipper, lincoln
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:30PM
“Cooky , and Rob Cook playing for another club!!!!”
by NCC, Lincoln
Sunday, February 07 2010, 11:49PM
“Would depend on who u are refering to as our best bowler.”
by skipper, lincoln
Sunday, February 07 2010, 8:08PM
“Netty player, if you play for Netttleham in ECB is it right your best bowler is leaving for pastures new this season..”
by ac, lincoln
Saturday, February 06 2010, 8:16PM
“By my understanding and this was said by the player that he asked BBH if he could play for them..The person in question is A.Onyon. As for you Mr Schofield you are all against BBH what have they done to upset you, told you that you where no good to play or is it just a certain person you are getting at? Dave who is this player or are you just making a comment what age group are we talking?”
by Netty player lincs, Bracebridge Heath
Saturday, February 06 2010, 12:10AM
“Agree with Dave, also money does talk, playing for bbh has major ramifications when looking at county possibilitys”
by MIchael Schofield, Caistor
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 9:50AM
“I'll give you Burford but Louth,Bansal and Hopkins have played about ten games between them and correct me if im wrong but Cleethorpes dont play in the Lincs PL? Morgan has played for BBH for 2-3 seasons and only moved in the winter. Lets be honest and say that the Lincs batsman would rather face the Lincs bowlers week in,week out rather than some young lad too good for a feeder league? The same theory for the bowlers as well. You dont have to play 'top level' sport to realise that the league is being bought every year and the top players being paid hefty 'travel expenses' to purchase their services. Here's to another boring Lincs ECB PL season.”
by dave, Lincs
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 8:15PM
“Michael is right im afraid. A promising player at my club was approached and told he wouldn't play for Lincs unless he was at BBH. Fact”
by Gordon Richards, Scothern
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 8:20AM
“Michael you have obviously never played sport at a reasonable level, all coaches want as much time with their players as possible and visa versa, I think also the other lincs lads Burford(Sleaford) Morgan, Hopkins (Bourne) Bansal (Lindum) Kirby (Cleethorpes) LOuth (Woodhall) and others who play out the county would argue that you do not have to play for Bracebridge to play for the County, lets take off those GREEN tinted glasses for a while and get behind our team.”