Ian Cockbain goes from Langwarrin to Adelaide and now Karachi

Ian Cockbain’s meteoric rise from club cricket in Melbourne to Big Bash star status has taken another twist with an overseas T20 contract coming his way.

Ian Cockbain in cracking form for the Adelaide Strikers. Picture: Sarah Reed

Ian Cockbain’s super summer is getting better by the minute.

The Englishman’s stunning emergence from club cricket in Melbourne to Big Bash brilliance with the Adelaide Strikers has been the stuff of dreams.

Now another opportunity has come his way; Cockbain has signed a contract with Pakistan Super League franchise Karachi Kings.

He will fly out to Pakistan as soon as his BBL duties are completed.

The opening game of the PSL is on January 27.

It spells the end of Cockbain’s season with Langwarrin in the Mornington Peninsula competition (he had planned to return to the club after the BBL).

English cricketer Ian Cockbain playing for Langwarrin this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The 34-year-old said he was grateful to Langwarrin, who flew him out from England in October, and admitted he was still coming to terms with a whirlwind past 10 days.

“It’s obviously all happened pretty quickly,” Cockbain said on Tuesday morning.

“You’ve got to expect the unexpected I guess in this job...you don’t really know where you’ll be from one day to the next and this is just a bit of an extension to it I guess.”

Cockbain, who is Gloucestershire’s all-time leading run scorer in T20 cricket, said the Pakistan opportunity was too good to pass up.

“I’ve never been out there before so it’s going to be a bit of an eye opener I guess,” he said.

Just a week ago, Cockbain was enjoying summer in Melbourne playing local cricket with Langwarrin mixed in with a bit of golf around the Mornington Peninsula.

Then, out of the blue, came a call from the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash.

Their squad depleted by Covid, the Strikers asked Cockbain to join them.

He agreed — and a week later has played a starring role in the Strikers’ resurgence in the tournament.

Ian Cockbain of the Strikers. Picture: Mark Brake

Cockbain was named man-of-the-match after his sizzling 71 not out off 42 balls in the Strikers’ win over Sydney Sixers on Monday.

“It’s been awesome,” he said.

“I’ve been close a couple of times in the past to getting a Big Bash gig and I’ve always been hopeful if things happen then I would eventually get the call up.

“Obviously this has provided a fantastic opportunity.”

Back at Langwarrin, they are thrilled with popular “Coey’s” success.

“It makes it even bigger, with what Langy has provided him has just launched his career back,” Langwarrin vice president Gary Rees said.

“By getting a game for the Strikers has obviously got him this contract with the Pakistan Super League.”

Cockbain said he hoped to pay again with Langwarrin next season.

“I’ve fitted in well with everybody,” he said.

“If things all fall into place ideally I can come over and play for Langwarrin for the first month or two and then head off, hopefully with a bit of luck I’ll get another gig here in Adelaide.”