A guileful left-arm spinner, Dean Cosker has forged a valuable slow-bowling partnership with Robert Croft since making his Glamorgan debut as a fresh-faced youth way back in 1996. His first match, against Lancashire at Cardiff, came within a few months of completing his A-levels and he was widely regarded as having a bright future in the professional game, having already represented England at Under-19 level.

Born in Dorset to Welsh parents, he toured with England A in 1997-98 and 1998-99, but has never materialised into the player he threatened to be as a youngster. For long stretches he proved to be a much more effective player in the one-day format, playing a key part in Glamorgan's success in the National League in 2002 and 2004 with his tight bowling and exceptional fielding from backward point. He has become increasingly important in the longer game too, however, and could well finish with close to 1,000 wickets across all formats. Cosker also admits to being a fan of Bananarama, and was awarded a benefit year by Glamorgan in 2010.
Liam Brickhill June 2011