Alastair Cooks up a Treat for our Juniors

Our Junior players have enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of meeting and being coached by England skipper Alastair Cook.

The event, part of the Yorkshire Bank’s sponsorship of cricket through their “Giving Bat to Cricket” project, took place at Derbyshire CCC on July 4^th.

The youngsters were treated to expert batting coaching from the man who has already scored over 7,500 Test runs, becoming the youngest player to pass 7,000 runs in the process.

Cook, in his role as a Yorkshire Bank Cricket Ambassador, also took part in a short game, delighting the youngsters with his clear enjoyment and engagement, and then took time out to take part in a question and answer session.

Said club chairman Bob James:

“It was a wonderful experience for the young players, one which they will never forget.

“Alastair Cook is a marvelous role model for English cricket.

“For the England captain to give so generously of his time from a hectic international schedule and devote it to grass-roots cricket speaks volumes.

“He struck up an excellent rapport with the youngsters, who responded magnificently.

“ We must also thank the Yorkshire Bank for the event and for their £500 donation to the club. Their support of community sport is very welcome in these days of economic hardship.”

Our thanks go to Jane Yates and John Foster from the bank for initiating the event, to Derbyshire CCC for the use of their facilities and to DCB coaches Gareth Marshall and Richard Wood.

Photographs of the event will shortly be published on the website.  Watch this space!

Please note that the Yorkshire Bank is giving away 150 limited edition Gray-Nicolls bats this season as part of its Giving Bats to Cricket Fans campaign.  Details can be found on the Yorkshire Bank Cricket Facebook page.  All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to upload a photograph onto the page that illustrates what cricket means to you. Why not give it a go?