Simon Cook named Kent’s new director of cricket
Kent have appointed Simon Cook, the previous seamer who’s presently the membership’s bowling coach, as their new director of cricket. Cook will take over from Paul Downton at the beginning of October, after Downton introduced his intention to retire after six years within the job.
Cook, 46, performed for Kent between 2005 and 2012, earlier than rejoining the membership’s teaching employees in 2019. In between, he served as head coach and excessive efficiency supervisor for Hong Kong.
As Kent’s lead bowling coach, he has overseen the specialist fast-bowling programme at age-group stage and with the academy. He additionally took cost of the primary XI as interim head coach for the One-Day Cup marketing campaign in 2022 – when Kent received the competitors – and once more this yr, whereas Matt Walker was working with Oval Invincibles on the Hundred.
“Simon was the outstanding candidate throughout the very rigorous selection process,” Kent Cricket’s chair, Simon Philip, stated. “He provided a compelling and clear vision of how he wants the club to move forward from the pathway to the first XI, allied to a very strong view of the brand of cricket that he wants the club to play.
“His present data as participant and coach will show invaluable in delivering his imaginative and prescient. I’m certain that each one members and supporters will welcome Simon to his new function.”
Meanwhile, Glamorgan have announced that Hugh Morris, the former England managing director, will step down as chief executive after ten years in the role. Morris, who was capped three times by England, spent his entire playing career with the Welsh county, later moving to the ECB as technical director before serving as chief executive and then managing director. He departed the national set-up in 2013, returning to Glamorgan soon after in a dual role as CEO and director of cricket.
Morris, 59, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2022, and said “the time is true for me to spend extra time with my household, having fun with different pastimes, and specializing in my ongoing therapy”.
Richard Thompson, ECB chair, added: “Hugh has served cricket in England and Wales each on and off the sector, with extraordinary distinction. Few if any have given what Hugh has, each when it comes to affect in addition to dedication.
“To say he has made a difference would not be enough. I know that Hugh has been focused on re-establishing cricket as the national summer sport in Wales and ‘making Wales proud’ of cricket’s achievements on and off the field. Over many decades he has made both Wales and England very proud and given more than anyone could ever ask. He has been exceptional in every sense.”