"World class" Sam Cook has been tipped as the heir to James Anderson when the legendary England seamer eventually calls time on his career.
Anderson turned 40 this summer and has featured in 175 Test matches for England in a storied international career that has spanned almost 20 years. And while England's all-time leading wicket taker appears to have no plans of retiring anytime soon, Essex captain Tom Westley believes Cook would be a natural successor to Anderson.
The 25-year-old has been a consistent performer for Essex in the County Championship, having picked up 198 wickets at an average of 19.70 in his entire first-class career. This season alone Cook has taken 36 wickets at 16.47, with only Pakistan international Mohammad Abbas taking more at a lower average.
