Hampshire sign Jimmy Cook as new coach

Hampshire have appointed the 46 year old former South African opening batsman Jimmy Cook as their new First Eleven County Coach on a three-year contract.

He will take up his duties in early March, stepping down as South Africa's National Director of Coaching, a position he has held for the last year.

He was a prolific run scorer with Somerset for three seasons from 1989 and after a distinguished playing career with Gauteng - formerly Transvaal - which spanned more than two decades, he spent five years coaching the South African province.

"The untimely death of our previous coach Malcolm Marshall leaves his successor with a difficult act to follow," says Hampshire's Chief Executive Tony Baker.

"We had a good many interesting, high-calibre applicants and in Jimmy Cook we believe we have appointed the ideal man. He has always wanted to coach an English County side and his record as a player and coach speaks for itself."

"He is highly regarded within the game throughout the world and we are delighted that he is joining Hampshire."