Steven Crook

Steven Crook joined Northamptonshire in August 2005 after failing to secure a regular first-team place at Lancashire.

The bowling all-rounder has played for South Australia from Under-13 to Under-19 level and was part of Australia's squad for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2001/02.

He also attended the Australian Institute of Sport cricket academy but has English parents and holds a British passport.

Crook had a run in the Lancashire side in 2004 after injuries beset many of the regular players, however he decided to make the switch to Northamptonshire the following year.

He played in just three first-class matches for the club in 2005, but topped the batting averages with 217 runs at a massive 108.50, including a high score of 97.

He played in nine LV= County Championship matches in 2007, totalling 315 runs and 21 wickets.

The absence of Andrew Hall and Johan van der Wath allowed Crook an opportunity in the opening two championship games of 2008, but was considered a one-day specialist thereafter.

He scored 63 against Warwickshire, only to suffer a hamstring strain while bowling. He earned a recall for the final championship match against Middlesex but did not impress.

Crook was a virtual ever-present in the Steelbacks Twenty20 side, but took only three wickets in 10 matches. He had seldom opportunities to impress with the bat.

This led to him being released by the county at the end of the 2009 season.