Yorkshire’s new D40 Quest captain Cameron Cooper is targeting the best of both worlds for his side as they get set for the forthcoming summer of Disability Cricket.
Seam bowling skipper Cooper, 23-years-old, would love nothing more than seeing the county strike the perfect balance between development and performance.
National champions in 2023, Yorkshire’s hierarchy looked more towards bringing through the youngsters last year, and they finished fifth out of eight teams with two wins, four defeats and an abandonment from their seven matches.
Someone such as teenaged wicketkeeper-batter Curtis Sugden was one who impressed in his first season with the county, with a best of 60 to his name.
Cooper agreed, saying: “As a wicketkeeper and a batter, he keeps improving. Every time I see Curtis, he gets better and better. He’s also exactly what we need behind the stumps, a character. The boys love having him around.”
That aim won’t change during the forthcoming summer. Developing players to strengthen Yorkshire’s structure will be at the forefront of the plans. But Cooper would also love to repeat their memorable title success of two years ago.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Yorkshire’s new D40 Quest captain Cameron Cooper.
“From coming up and getting promoted from Division Two to Division One in 2022, we didn’t set out to win the title in the first year, it was more consolidation and to stay up,” reflected Cooper.
“But the boys performed and were excellent. We were together as a team, which helped us out massively.
“Last year was a bit more difficult.
“We had a few players injured, including myself, at the start of the season. But we did well to pull together and get a few good results towards the end of the season and keep us mid-table.
“It sets us up for this year.
“Like any performance side, our aim is to win.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Cameron Cooper (middle, front row) lines up with his Yorkshire team-mates for September’s clash with an England XI at Headingley.
“We want to go out there and show everyone that we’re one of the biggest counties – if not the biggest – in the country.
“At the same time, we have a young squad and we want to build that pathway for lads to progress through the structure.
“As much as we want to win and bring home a trophy, we want to settle ourselves down to be competing for years and years rather than it being on and off.”
Cooper was born in Stevenage, lived in Watford until he was 11 before moving up to Yorkshire to be closer to family. He has played club cricket for the likes of Scarborough, Thornton Dale, Ebberston and Pickering, the latter his current club.
He is an England Physical Disability squad player. He has played in a dozen or so friendlies for his country but is yet to make his full international debut.
Currently studying at York University, he is a graduate of the Yorkshire Cricket College.
Picture courtesy of Matt Bateman. Cameron Cooper has replaced all-rounder Matt Bateman as Yorkshire’s new D40 Quest captain.
Of his appointment – replacing the outgoing Matt Bateman back in November – Cooper said: “It was a brilliant moment for me.
“This is something I’ve worked for for a few years now.
“I’ve been vice captain under three different lads and leaders in James O’Conner, Gordon Laidlaw and Matt. I’ve learnt a lot from all of them.
“To do it at such a young age as well, it’s something I hope I can do for as long as I play. I’m very proud.”
As much as Cooper, a fast bowler who has had to deal with stress fractures of the back a couple of times in his career so far, is confident of progression for Yorkshire, he is so for himself too.
He missed out on selection for the England PD squad’s ongoing tour of Sri Lanka, admitting; “When it’s a choice between a seamer or an extra spinner for Sri Lanka, you’re always going to go with the spinner.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. England PD opener Brendon Parr en-route to a century at Headingley in September.
“It’s a really strong squad that England have, with players who have been performing well for a long time. But I’ve spoken to our coach, Chris Highton, and he says that I’m a big part of their plans.”
Yorkshire know first hand just how good a number of the England PD players are having faced a number of them during last September’s Disability Showcase fixture at Headingley when a Yorkshire President’s XI came up against an England Pan Disability XI. The national side won that contest, with destructive opener Brendon Parr scoring a brilliant 90-ball 131.
“That day was brilliant,” added Cooper. “It’s a childhood dream to play at a ground like Headingley, especially for the Yorkshire boys. I was very nervous for it.
“Knowing some of the England boys, I was thinking we could be up against it, especially if Brendon got going – and he did. We wanted to win, but the main thing was showcasing Disability Cricket in a positive light, which I think we did.
“Disability Cricket has definitely become more visible to people and more accessible. We’re constantly getting new people asking about it in Yorkshire, which is amazing.
“For us to have more eyes on us is exactly what we want and what’s needed so that people can see us for what we are, which is talented cricketers rather than just disability cricketers.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Wicketkeeper-batter Curtis Sugden is one of Yorkshire’s up and comers.
