Durham close in on Stephen Cook signing

Durham hope to complete the signing of Stephen Cook as an overseas player within the next few days.

While Cook, the South Africa opening batsman, has not yet signed a contract and any deal is subject to approval from the ECB due to Durham’s straightened circumstances following their bailout last year, it is anticipated that he will be available to the county for the first three months of the English season before he joins his South Africa teammates for the Test series against England.

There will be relief in South Africa that Cook has resisted the temptation to sign as a Kolpak registration. Aged 34, there might have been a temptation to secure his financial future with a long-term deal but, having waited a long time for his opportunity in international cricket – he made his debut only a year ago, scoring a century on debut against England – Cook has clearly decided he has not had his fill of it yet.

Durham are not keen on the Kolpak option, either. Despite losing 10 players over the last few months – most due to their financial troubles that has seen their salary bill cut by 50% in five years – their head coach, Jon Lewis, told ESPNcricinfo that the club still took pride in …

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