Paul Cook is named new Lincolnshire captain

Paul Cook will lead Lincolnshire's cricketers in the Minor Counties Championship next season.

Batsman Cook replaces former captain Oliver Burford, who relinquished the role by mutual consent at the end of the county's disappointing 2009 campaign, which saw them finish at the foot of the Eastern Division table.

The big-hitting right-hander follows in the footsteps of his brother, Rob, who stepped down earlier this year to pursue a career in professional rugby union with the Cornish Pirates.

"It's a big honour," declared the 23-year-old, who was vice-captain of the side last season.

"I'm a little disappointed with the way it's come about, after a poor season."

After a winless 2009 campaign in three-day cricket, Cook says Lincs must be more ruthless and enjoy their cricket in 2010.

"We need to start enjoying our cricket again and play our own game," he declared.

"There were times, particularly towards the end of the season, when it didn't seem like we were.

"People seemed to be frightened to get out, there was a fear factor.

"But I want people to go out and express themselves and play their natural games.

"I'm not going to give anyone a rollicking if they get out playing an expansive shot.

"It's the same with the bowlers. If they're a wicket-taking bowler I want them to go out there with attacking fields. If they go for runs, they go for runs.

"We need to be more ruthless, too. If we get a team on the rack, we need to force home the advantage. In that respect we need to be more selfish.

"Off the pitch, we need a good team spirit where people enjoy each other's company."

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