Paul Cook is named new Lincolnshire captain
Paul Cook will lead Lincolnshire's cricketers in the Minor Counties Championship next season.
Batsman Cook replaces former captain Oliver Burford, who relinquished the role by mutual consent at the end of the county's disappointing 2009 campaign, which saw them finish at the foot of the Eastern Division table.
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Paul Cook.
The big-hitting right-hander follows in the footsteps of his brother, Rob, who stepped down earlier this year to pursue a career in professional rugby union with the Cornish Pirates.
"It's a big honour," declared the 23-year-old, who was vice-captain of the side last season.
"I'm a little disappointed with the way it's come about, after a poor season."
After a winless 2009 campaign in three-day cricket, Cook says Lincs must be more ruthless and enjoy their cricket in 2010.
"We need to start enjoying our cricket again and play our own game," he declared.
"There were times, particularly towards the end of the season, when it didn't seem like we were.
"People seemed to be frightened to get out, there was a fear factor.
"But I want people to go out and express themselves and play their natural games.
"I'm not going to give anyone a rollicking if they get out playing an expansive shot.
"It's the same with the bowlers. If they're a wicket-taking bowler I want them to go out there with attacking fields. If they go for runs, they go for runs.
"We need to be more ruthless, too. If we get a team on the rack, we need to force home the advantage. In that respect we need to be more selfish.
"Off the pitch, we need a good team spirit where people enjoy each other's company."
To read the full story, buy today's Lincolnshire Echo.
15 Comments
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by Michael Schofield, Caistor
Thursday, January 28 2010, 1:19PM
“Surely the aim of Lincolnshire as a whole would be to improve the ECB Premier League and it would be improved if a) all the Lincs squad played in the league and b) those who do play in the league dont all play for BBH. Its just logic!”
by A lincs supporter, Lincoln
Monday, November 16 2009, 1:22PM
“I find the comments posted suggesting that only cricketers playing in the Lincs leauge should be allowed to play for Lincolnshire quite bizzare. I dont think that our counties cricketers who have sought to better themselves and play better leauge cricket elsewhere should not be penalised by not being allowed to play minor county cricket. Unfortunately the standard of the Lincolnshire leauge is by comparrison poor in relation to our neighboring county leauges.
By enforcing this as a rule we as a county would be missing out on the services of some very talanted home grown players who have looked to play the best standard of leauge cricket available to them.
I do not see the Lincolnshire leauge improving and outside of 2/3 teams in the lincolnshire leauge it is unfortunately a poor breeding ground for talanted cricketers.”
by C, lincoln
Thursday, October 22 2009, 10:41AM
“Totally agree with "A"..Paul has a good cricket brain and will be a good skipper. The problem that Mark Fell and he will have is that he will be compared with his brother.Was there another person for the job, i dont think so. Yes the lad from Skeggy was good but has he got the ability to play the 3 day game.Give him a try in the cup games!!! Mr Schofield the team isnt full of favourites they are the best players in the county, if you can think of anyone else please feel free to put there name forward, only a couple of players that i can think of R.Antcliffe(Grimsby)M.Rutherford(Lindium)and A.Crook(Woodhall Spa) who have been consistant over the last few seasons. As for the money situation who gets paid PROS probably, i cant see the other lads getting anything more than travelling expensives. Anyway good look Paul for the 2010 season, but no more sword fighting..lol”
by zubz, skegness
Saturday, October 17 2009, 10:58PM
“hi yes you got the point to support our county we are not against it.and we are not trying to force the selector to pick them lads.but you can always bring them lads in to the net practice and see what they got and that put some pressure on senior player to perform.and by the way we are true supporter to our county
zubz
skegness”
by A, Lincoln
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 8:46AM
“The team has not even been pick yet, so how does any one know whos going to be in the team?
Yes they've had a bad year, however it was more or less the same lads that won the league the season before and did us proud, but no one seems to mention that!
I just wonder these people who are moaning and going on do you actually go and support your county when they are playing?
Dont bring your county down work with it and support it!
I wish them all the best for the next seaon.”