Sam Cook: Essex seamer says domestic schedule should be reduced

Cook believes a reduction in the number of matches would create “wiggle room” for players to have more of a break between them.

He said: “The way the schedule is at the minute, it just isn’t compatible with a high level of performance. We’re not talking about cutting five or 10 games….if you actually look at the number of days you’re going to lose, it’s very minimal.

“You are probably going to get better cricket, a better calibre of overseas players, better pitches, if there is that reduction in cricket.”

He added: “The schedule for this summer, and the last few summers, is wrong and could be that much better.”

Cook has not been selected for England’s Ashes tour to Australia, having taken just one wicket at a cost of 119 runs in his sole Test appearance against Zimbabwe.

But he remains determined to fight his way back into the selectors’ plans, having been one of the most prolific wicket-taking seamers in the English domestic game for several seasons.

“Like any other environment you go into, whether it’s a franchise environment, whether it’s an England environment, you learn and take on information, you work with new people and the exciting thing with that is bringing it back to Essex and hopefully putting in a really strong season next year,” he said.

“For me, it’s pretty clear where my role in that (England) set-up would lie. Obviously I want to break in again and solidify a place.

“Being exposed to the coaches and the way they play their cricket was really eye-opening and makes you want to be a part of it, and feel differently about how we play the game at a county level.

“For me it’s been an incredibly valuable experience and you want to get better and keep improving and get back in there.”