Dominic Cork - 'I'm opening a new chapter'
Dominic Cork, Lancashire's new recruit, talks to Andrew Miller about his hopes and ambitions for the season
19-May-2004
The end of Dominic Cork's 14-year association with Derbyshire was acrimonious to say the least. But having crossed the border into Lancashire, he is enjoying a new lease of life at Old Trafford, and a seven-wicket haul at Lord's confirmed his value to a team that most pundits are tipping for the Championship title. Andrew Miller caught up with him after Lancashire's three-day victory over Worcestershire:
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How have you enjoyed your change of environment?
It's been brilliant. Our pre-season training started back in December, so we've been working hard on our fitness all the way through the winter, and have hit the season at full tilt with a couple of good wins [against Sussex and Worcestershire]. We're still unbeaten in all competitions, and it's been a great start for me at my new club. Lancashire is a very big team, with lots of members and lots of support, and I've found it easy to make the transition to a place that is eager for a lot of success.
It's been brilliant. Our pre-season training started back in December, so we've been working hard on our fitness all the way through the winter, and have hit the season at full tilt with a couple of good wins [against Sussex and Worcestershire]. We're still unbeaten in all competitions, and it's been a great start for me at my new club. Lancashire is a very big team, with lots of members and lots of support, and I've found it easy to make the transition to a place that is eager for a lot of success.
So it wasn't much of an upheaval to put 14 years of Derbyshire life behind you?
No, there was no upheaval at all. It's been very easy to come from a side that was at times extremely hard to manage, to a side that - as Mike Watkinson would tell you - almost runs itself, as long as everyone plays well on the day.
No, there was no upheaval at all. It's been very easy to come from a side that was at times extremely hard to manage, to a side that - as Mike Watkinson would tell you - almost runs itself, as long as everyone plays well on the day.
You always thrived on being the focal point of the Derbyshire team. How have you blended into the Lancashire squad?
It's been absolutely lovely to have no responsibilities, as far as captaincy is concerned. I haven't had to worry about 14 players wanting 14 different things, I haven't had to worry about what end people want to bowl from. I'm quite content just being a pivotal member of what will hopefully prove to be a successful team. I'm the type of guy who just turns up and works hard on the pitch and in practice, and I'm always on hand to help out the youngsters, or anyone else who needs a bit of advice. I wouldn't say I'm relaxing, but it's great to have the pressure taken off.
It's been absolutely lovely to have no responsibilities, as far as captaincy is concerned. I haven't had to worry about 14 players wanting 14 different things, I haven't had to worry about what end people want to bowl from. I'm quite content just being a pivotal member of what will hopefully prove to be a successful team. I'm the type of guy who just turns up and works hard on the pitch and in practice, and I'm always on hand to help out the youngsters, or anyone else who needs a bit of advice. I wouldn't say I'm relaxing, but it's great to have the pressure taken off.
Do you still keep in touch with your old team-mates?
Yeah, I keep in touch with one or two, and I still check Teletext to catch up with their results, but it's a chapter of my life that I've closed now. I'm just looking forward to the new chapter here at Lancashire.
Yeah, I keep in touch with one or two, and I still check Teletext to catch up with their results, but it's a chapter of my life that I've closed now. I'm just looking forward to the new chapter here at Lancashire.
There's some pretty stiff competition for places among the Lancashire seam bowlers ...
Yes, and it's good news for the team. Kyle Hogg and Sajid Mahmood were left out for our last game, which was unfortunate for them, but it's brilliant that there is such healthy competition in the squad. We are all vying to get in the final XI, so each of us has to bowl well if we want to stay in the side. Competition breeds success.
Yes, and it's good news for the team. Kyle Hogg and Sajid Mahmood were left out for our last game, which was unfortunate for them, but it's brilliant that there is such healthy competition in the squad. We are all vying to get in the final XI, so each of us has to bowl well if we want to stay in the side. Competition breeds success.
And you've enjoyed some personal success with your seven-wicket haul against Middlesex ...
Yeah, but it's not just down to me taking seven wickets. It's what I can contribute to the side as a whole that matters. My job is to take wickets and to help people wherever I can, but I've also got a crucial role as a batsman in the middle order, alongside Glen Chapple and Warren Hegg. Unfortunately that aspect of my game hasn't taken off yet this season, but I know what I'm capable of.
Yeah, but it's not just down to me taking seven wickets. It's what I can contribute to the side as a whole that matters. My job is to take wickets and to help people wherever I can, but I've also got a crucial role as a batsman in the middle order, alongside Glen Chapple and Warren Hegg. Unfortunately that aspect of my game hasn't taken off yet this season, but I know what I'm capable of.
You must have been pleased to pull off such a comprehensive win [against Worcestershire]?
It was a great win, and it was made all the better by the way we bounced back from a not-so-great first day. For that we owed much to the freshness of Jimmy [Anderson]. He's had a frustrating winter, but here he showed the Lancashire public, the selectors and the press exactly what he's all about. He's aggressive, he's got pace, he's class. But after that first day the whole team performance was brilliant, especially Gary Keedy's nine wickets, Carl Hooper's stand with Iain Sutcliffe, and Mal Loye's efforts despite his bad back.
It was a great win, and it was made all the better by the way we bounced back from a not-so-great first day. For that we owed much to the freshness of Jimmy [Anderson]. He's had a frustrating winter, but here he showed the Lancashire public, the selectors and the press exactly what he's all about. He's aggressive, he's got pace, he's class. But after that first day the whole team performance was brilliant, especially Gary Keedy's nine wickets, Carl Hooper's stand with Iain Sutcliffe, and Mal Loye's efforts despite his bad back.
Do you see shades of yourself in Anderson?
Yeah, maybe I do. He's made a great start to Test cricket, and I just hope that the selectors keep faith with him from now on. He's a good bowler and - just as importantly - a good lad, who's never afraid to get stuck in, and always works really hard in practice. That's exactly what you want in your national team.
Yeah, maybe I do. He's made a great start to Test cricket, and I just hope that the selectors keep faith with him from now on. He's a good bowler and - just as importantly - a good lad, who's never afraid to get stuck in, and always works really hard in practice. That's exactly what you want in your national team.
Lancashire have been labelled in many quarters as the Championship favourites. How are you coping with the pressure?
To be honest, that's all paper talk - we don't listen to any of it. We know there are going to be hard battles throughout the rest of season, especially as many sides set their benchmarks against teams like us. As long as we play to the best of our abilities, we'll be up there at the end of the season. But it's too early to say we're favourites. September's a long way off and we'll be trying our hardest to win every day and every game.
To be honest, that's all paper talk - we don't listen to any of it. We know there are going to be hard battles throughout the rest of season, especially as many sides set their benchmarks against teams like us. As long as we play to the best of our abilities, we'll be up there at the end of the season. But it's too early to say we're favourites. September's a long way off and we'll be trying our hardest to win every day and every game.
It's been absolutely lovely to have no responsibilities
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It wasn't so long ago that you were in the England frame. Any thoughts of earning a last recall?
There's absolutely no chance of that. I'd still love to play, obviously, and they know where I am if they want me, but realistically the England team is blending nicely now. If someone like Anderson - who is pushing as hard as he can - can hardly get a game all winter, then I don't think I'm particularly close to a recall.
There's absolutely no chance of that. I'd still love to play, obviously, and they know where I am if they want me, but realistically the England team is blending nicely now. If someone like Anderson - who is pushing as hard as he can - can hardly get a game all winter, then I don't think I'm particularly close to a recall.
So are you winding down towards retirement, or have you still got ambitions to fulfil?
It's hard to tell how much longer I've got left. I'm on a three-year contract here at Lancashire, and I'd hope to be good enough for that. After that, I'll take it as it comes. I still want to play, and it's a part of every cricketer's mindset, that they wouldn't give it up if they thought they still had something left. I've come to a club where I hope I'll be successful, and help the team to success as well.
It's hard to tell how much longer I've got left. I'm on a three-year contract here at Lancashire, and I'd hope to be good enough for that. After that, I'll take it as it comes. I still want to play, and it's a part of every cricketer's mindset, that they wouldn't give it up if they thought they still had something left. I've come to a club where I hope I'll be successful, and help the team to success as well.
You're the type of showman who ought to thrive in the Twenty20 Cup. What do you make of that competition?
Well, maybe your avid fan isn't especially keen on it, but it was a huge success last year, and I'm sure it'll be the same this time around as well. It's instant entertainment, so it's an exciting prospect for people who haven't watched a lot of cricket before. And naturally Lancashire expect to be competing on all fronts, and fully intend to reach the semis and final stages.
Well, maybe your avid fan isn't especially keen on it, but it was a huge success last year, and I'm sure it'll be the same this time around as well. It's instant entertainment, so it's an exciting prospect for people who haven't watched a lot of cricket before. And naturally Lancashire expect to be competing on all fronts, and fully intend to reach the semis and final stages.
Are you planning to unveil a new hairstyle for the occasion?
No, no ... no new hairstyles! This is it for the season I reckon, but we'll see how it goes. The braids have gone for good, and there will definitely be no mullets on show. Maybe I'll go for some grey streaks instead ...
No, no ... no new hairstyles! This is it for the season I reckon, but we'll see how it goes. The braids have gone for good, and there will definitely be no mullets on show. Maybe I'll go for some grey streaks instead ...