Essex Cricket can confirm the appointment of Sam Cook as Club Vice-Captain ahead of the 2024 season.
Chelmsford-born seamer Cook is a graduate of the Essex Academy and, since making his debut in 2017, has made more than 130 appearances in all formats.
Although he has claimed 67 white-ball wickets at an average of 29.64 in the five seasons since his Essex one-day bow, it is in the first-class arena where Cook has been most prolific.
Having become renowned for his relentless accuracy, the 26-year-old has taken 252 red-ball wickets in an Essex shirt, at a miserly average of just 18.41.
Cook made his debut in a tour match against the West Indies at Chelmsford in August 2017, before breaking into the first team for the final four matches of the County Championship season.
He claimed 22 scalps at 24.22 each, including two five-wicket hauls against Hampshire and Yorkshire, as the club cruised to a first Championship title in 25 years, finishing 72 points clear at the summit.
Four years later, Cook enjoyed his most prolific season yet, picking up 58 Championship victims at a meagre 14.43 apiece, before he followed it up in 2022 and 2023 with another 51 and 48, respectively.
The Chelmsford-born bowler has been recognised for his domestic form, receiving several call-ups to the England Lions squad on tours to Australia and Sri Lanka.
In addition, he became the first English bowler to reach 200 first-class wickets while averaging under 20 in more than 50 years when he took 3/31 in the first innings against Yorkshire in September 2022.
Cook said: “It’s a huge honour to be appointed as vice-captain. I grew up just down the road from the ground, and it’s meant so much to me to play here for as long as I have.
“I’m at a point in my career where I’m able to step up in terms of my position in the squad and assist Tom and the management where I can.
“I’ll be as motivated as ever to keep taking wickets for Essex, but hopefully I can now be a mentoring voice for some of the younger bowlers who are beginning to come through as well.”
Current Club Captain, Tom Westley, added: “It’s great to appoint Sam as my vice-captain for the coming season. He’s an Essex boy, and I know how much the club means to him.
“He’s not only developed into one of the best seam bowlers in the country over recent seasons, but he’s developed as a person.
“He’s a natural leader within our dressing room, as with many others. I have no doubt that he will have a positive impact in this role, and help to drive the club forward to win more trophies!”
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