Steven Crook

Steven Paul Crook (born 28 May 1983) is a former Australian cricketer who played for Northamptonshire in English county cricket. He is an all-rounder, batting right-handed and bowling right-arm fast medium pace.[1] In September 2018, he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.[2] Sir Alastair Cook described Steven as the worst bowler he had faced during the recent Tailenders Live show at the Palace Theatre Manchester #Tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover

Steven Crook
Personal information
Full name
Steven Paul Crook
Born (1983-05-28) 28 May 1983
Adelaide, South Australia
NicknameCrooky, Margaret
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast-medium
RoleAll-rounder
Relations
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2001–2005Lancashire
2005–2009Northamptonshire
2011–2012Middlesex
2013–2018Northamptonshire
Career statistics
Competition FC LA T20
Matches 107 91 133
Runs scored 4,043 1,244 1,388
Batting average 31.83 21.44 18.50
100s/50s 5/22 1/5 0/3
Top score 145 100 63
Balls bowled 12,492 3,001 1,537
Wickets 207 84 73
Bowling average 39.66 34.36 29.79
5 wickets in innings 3 1 0
10 wickets in match 0 0 0
Best bowling 5/48 5/36 3/19
Catches/stumpings 36/– 18/– 39/–
Source: CricketArchive, 24 August 2018

Cricket career

Crook was born and brought up in Australia, of British parents. He holds a United Kingdom passport, so is not classified as an overseas player for the purposes of county cricket's overseas player restrictions.[3] While he was playing league cricket in England, he caught the eye of Lancashire and was offered a contract. He made his County Championship debut in September 2003 versus Warwickshire, having previously played a first-class match against university opposition and two limited over county games.

Crook moved to Northamptonshire in 2005, and played for them until 2009. He left Northants in 2009, having been severely limited by injury;[3] in his final season he was only able to play two first-class matches. He spent the 2010 season out of county cricket, playing for Brixworth in the Northamptonshire Cricket League, before signing for Middlesex the following year.[4] He played two seasons for Middlesex, taking 44 wickets at an average of 30.59 in 16 first-class games.

In 2013 he returned to play for Northants.[5] He scored his maiden first-class century in June 2014 against former club Middlesex,[6] and has since scored four more. He has been to Twenty20 finals day three times, twice finishing on the winning team, in 2013[7] and 2016,[8] and as runners-up in 2015.[9]

Music career

Crook also fronts a band, Juliet the Sun, as lead vocalist.[10] Tabloids told that they provided inspiration for England during the 2005 Ashes and even became brief tabloid darlings when it emerged that former team-mates James Anderson and Monty Panesar were blasting out their signature tune, "Time for Heroes", in the dressing room in between sessions.[11][12]

Crook plays at the Cricketers Arms.[13] in Northampton.

Personal life

Crook is involved in supporting various charities including a 2015 £1 per run and more benefit for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)-sufferer, Lewis Herbert.[14] Among those assisting have been Jimmy Anderson,[15] Graeme Swann, The Cube Disability[14] and many others. Besides Crook, The Cube sponsors Northants Steelbacks Mohammad Azharullah.[16]

References
  1. "Steven Crook: Australia". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  2. "Steven Crook, Northamptonshire stalwart, calls time on career". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  3. Oliver, Scott. "The Shire Brigade: Steven Crook | County Cricket | All Out Cricket". alloutcricket.com. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  4. "Steven Crook signs for Middlesex". Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  5. "Middlesex reluctantly release Crook". Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  6. "Middlesex v Northamptonshire". Cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  7. Gibson, Richard (17 August 2013). "Northamptonshire's David Willey's treble sees off Surrey in t20 final". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  8. Macpherson, Will (20 August 2016). "Josh Cobb steers Northants over line to win NatWest T20 Blast against Durham". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  9. Rae, Richard (29 August 2015). "Lancashire clinch T20 title by holding nerve against Northamptonshire". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  10. "Juliet steals Crook's heart". ecb.co.uk. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 August 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  11. Coyne, James (4 January 2010). "Crook calls time-out on career". European Central Bank. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  12. Juliet The Sun - Time For Heroes on YouTube
  13. "The Cricketers Arms - Archive 2010". Archived from the original on 21 April 2013.
  14. "About Us". Runs4Funds. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  15. "News & Updates". Runs4Funds. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  16. "Proud Sponsors of 3 Northants Steelbacks Players". The Cube Disability. 15 May 2015. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
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