Premier Cricket 2018-19: Prahran secures Essex fast bowler Sam Cook

Prahran’s fast-bowling stocks have received a significant boost with a promising young English player to feature for the remainder of the Premier Cricket club’s campaign.

Sam Cook has impressed for Essex in England. Picture: Getty Images

Prahran’s fast-bowling stocks have received a significant boost with promising paceman Sam Cook set to feature for the remainder of the Premier Cricket club’s campaign.

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The 21-year-old collected 27 wickets from 10 games for Essex in England’s County Championship last season and has 53 wickets to his name from 19 first-class matches.

Sam Cook appeals for a wicket. Picture: Getty Images

Cook was rewarded for his fine form when he signed a two-year contract extension with Essex in September.

The right-armer returned figures of 1-43 from 10 overs for the True Blues in Saturday’s 54-run one-day defeat to Monash Tigers.

“We’re delighted to have someone of his calibre to come from overseas and play for us,” Prahran captain Jake Hancock said.

“He’s a fantastic bloke, brings a lot of knowledge about the game, played against some serious players and played with some serious players.

“For a young player himself, he’s actually really mature and knows a lot about his game. It will really help our bowlers — not just in the first XI but throughout the whole squad.

“We’re all really excited to have him here.”

Former England and Prahran player Dimitri Mascarenhas played a key role in helping the club secure Cook.

Mascarenhas was an assistant head coach at Essex before departing in December.

“We obviously had a bit of a link with Dimi Mascarenhas being coach of the Vic Super Slam for the True Blues,” Hancock said.

“It must’ve been something the coaching staff were talking about over Christmas and they just decided to go with it.”