Essex seamer Sam Cook has been one of the most consistent young bowlers in county cricket for a while now and the 25-year-old prospect is certainly on England's radar.
Having taken 51 wickets at an average of 16.23 in the most recent County Championship campaign, Cook has been rewarded with opportunities to impress for the England Lions. He featured in their stunning victory by an innings and 56 runs over South Africa back in August and is part of the Lions squad which is currently training alongside the senior team in Abu Dhabi ahead of next month's Test series against Pakistan.
And Cook views the trip as an opportunity to put himself "in the shop window for the Test coaches against the best players in the country". Speaking to the Guardian, Cook said: "It's a great trip development-wise and that fixture against the Test team at the end is what you're working towards.
"You want to put yourself in the shop window for the Test coaches against the best players in the country, the guys you hope will be team-mates in future. My priority is Test cricket.
"As a fan – a bit of a badger – this summer was amazing to watch. Brendon also joined us at training for the Lions.
"He was an amazing bloke to chat to but also delivered a message to the group about entertaining and being aggressive. It only spurs you on."
Cook is known as 'Little Chef' at Essex due to the presence Sir Alastair Cook, known as Chef, with the England legend deciding to continue playing county cricket after his international retirement in 2018.
And Cook says sharing a dressing room and playing alongside England's all-time leading Test run scorer has "massively" helped his development. "He's been incredible," he added.
"He cops a bit about the knighthood – 'can I get you a drink, sir?', bowing, that sort of thing – but you realise how lucky you are to have him there week in, week out. He's helped me massively – a bit of an oracle."
