Cricket: Jono Cook reflects on first games with Sydney Thunder in Big Bash League

Four weeks on, the 29-year-old Port Macquarie product has regularly broken his way into the Sydney Thunder starting 11 as they chase a Big Bash League semi-final spot.

Cook’s rags to riches story has impressed a number of cricket identities, but the man himself is trying not to get too carried away.

“Coming from grade cricket and working full time in an industry that’s not related to cricket … it’s pretty rare,” Cook said.

“It’s getting my voice out there that you don’t necessarily need to be coming back from professional cricket background to make it.

“Big Bash cricket provides that avenue for you.”

Before he received the call from the Thunder, Cook was an environmental planner working at NBN.

“I’ve moved from a desk job to a full-time cricketer which is a bit of a transition, but I prefer to be doing this,” he said of playing in the Big Bash.

The leg-spinner said the last month had been a “whirlwind experience” since he joined the Thunder as a replacement player for Usman Khawaja.

The rest is history.

“I didn’t expect to start playing so early and to get the games under my belt I have so far has been a pretty special experience,” Cook said.

“A month ago I wouldn’t have believed it because the players around the squad that we have I thought I would have struggled to get a look in.”

Ultimately, Cook impressed one of the men that mattered the most – coach Shane Bond.

“He was pretty pleased with the way I was training and we had a few trial games that went well,” Cook said.

“So to be thrown in the deep end … I debuted in game two so that was pretty unexpected.”

Cook’s best figures of 3-27 off four overs against the Brisbane Heat on January 8 included the impressive scalps of Max Bryant, Chris Lynn and Ben Cutting.

Despite taking six wickets in six matches, Cook was trying to keep his feet on the ground.

He feels consistent performances for the NSW second XI in both four-day and one-day formats will benefit him more than strong performances in the 20-over format.

“The ultimate goal is to represent your state so if I can do that at NSW level, it’s what I’ve been striving for playing grade cricket,” Cook said.

“T20 cricket is a totally different game so after (the Big Bash), my focus will go back to second XI cricket and try and do my best there to get a look in with selectors.

“Getting that exposure with Big Bash is helping me out interstate and getting a look in from other states, but I’m sure my name is popping up a bit more from NSW as well.”

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