Born in Chelmsford, Samuel James Cook is one of Essex’s very own and is the current Club vice-captain. He burst onto the scene at the end of the 2017 season by taking 20 wickets in the final four games as the Club clinched the County Championship title. The following year, Cook was awarded the Young Player of the Year at the 2018 End of Season Awards.
The right-arm seam bowler played a vital role in the double-winning season of 2019, taking 32 wickets at an average of 21.03 - including a remarkable performance at Canterbury, where he claimed five-wicket hauls in both innings. In the second innings of that match, he achieved career-best figures of 7–23. Sam was awarded with two accolades at the 2019 End of Season Awards, winning the Young Player of the Year and the Performance of the Year.
The 2020 season saw Sam Cook capped with his Essex County Cap to become the 163rd player to receive this honour and in the following season of 2021 he was named in the PCA Team of the Year whilst awarded Essex Cricket's Bowler of the Year and Player of the Year.
In 2022, he became the first English bowler in more than 50 years to reach 200 first-class wickets while maintaining an average below 20. His performances in 2022 and 2023 saw him named again in the PCA Team of the Year - to make it three seasons in a row.
His consistency continued in the following seasons, and at the start of the 2025 summer, Cook earned his maiden call-up to the England Men’s Test squad. He made his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, taking his first Test wicket and becoming the first England player to open the bowling on debut since 1993.
By the conclusion of the 2025 season, Cook boasts an outstanding record of 311 first-class wickets at an impressive average of 19.12. Cook is regarded as one of the most consistent and skilful bowlers in the country, regularly troubling batters from across the counties with his precision and control.
