I'll come back to haunt Lancs - Cork

12:30am Wednesday 13th August 2008

DOMINIC Cork has warned Lancashire that he will come back to “haunt” them after being told he is no longer wanted at Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old all-rounder was told yesterday that he would be released at the end of the season after five years with the club.

Announcing Cork’s release, Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson hailed the former England Test star as “a true professional, who has given his heart and soul to Lancashire cricket.”

Cork spoke emotionally about his time at Old Trafford, and his determination to leave with a County Championship title under his belt.

“I’m very disappointed,” he said. I’ve loved the fact that I’ve been part of such a historic club, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I thought that I’d be ending my career at Lancashire, but it’s not to be.

“I’ll be leaving with a heavy heart. Hopefully the members have enjoyed watching me – and I hope to be involved for the rest of the season. There’s still a Championship to be won.

“I came to this club to succeed. We came close last year, and there’s still a chance this year.”

But the former Derbyshire ace, who has taken 169 Championship wickets and scored three hundreds for the county, added that he was desperate to prove Lancashire wrong.

Amid rumours of interest from Durham and Nottinghamshire, he said: “I still feel as though I’ve got another two, maybe three, years in me. I’m very fit, and I still feel I’ve got lots to offer the game.

“I’m open to offers, and I want to put myself in the shop window. A couple of clubs have made enquiries about me, but I’ve not gone into that as I didn’t think I’d be leaving Lancashire.

“I will come back and haunt Lancashire, and prove the manager and the committee wrong.”

While Cork is still an integral part of Lancashire’s first team plans, and will play if the four-day game against Yorkshire gets underway today, Marshall is not. He will not be considered for the rest of 2008.

“Simon is suited to one-day cricket where people look to attack the bowling,” explained Watkinson. “But we think that he has become a little bit pigeon holed around one competition (Twenty20).

“We would like our squad to be a little bit more versatile, and perhaps open that position up to somebody who can develop to be a cricketer in other competitions.”

couple of clubs have made enquiries about me, but I’ve not gone into that as I didn’t think I’d be leaving Lancashire.

“I will come back and haunt Lancashire, and prove the manager and the committee wrong.”

While Cork is still an integral part of Lancashire’s first team plans, and will play if the four-day game against Yorkshire gets underway today, Marshall is not. He will not be considered for the rest of 2008.

“Simon is suited to one-day cricket where people look to attack the bowling,” explained Watkinson. “But we think that he has become a little bit pigeon holed around one competition (Twenty20).

“We would like our squad to be a little bit more versatile, and perhaps open that position up to somebody who can develop to be a cricketer in other competitions.”

Our Top Stories