By Alex Bywater
Glamorgan’s Joe Cooke has revealed the magnitude of his match-winning performance against Essex is still ‘sinking in’ as he guided his side to a first one-day cup final in eight years.
Cooke was the star of the show for the Welsh side on a belting Sophia Gardens wicket as he took five for 61 with the ball and guided Glamorgan home by striking an unbeaten 66.
“It’s a pretty cool and special feeling,” explained Cooke, who only made is 50-over debut just under a month ago.
“To get the winning runs was really special.
“Me and Tom Cullen knew it was always going to be five or six runs an over.
“We wanted to get it done before the last over.
“It was a good pitch and hard to bowl.
“My first spell with the ball wasn’t great and Alastair Cook got a hold of me so to come back with wickets in my second spell was pleasing.
“I’m enjoying a different role in this team and I’m always in the game both batting and bowling.
“A final is going to be a great occasion and it’s going to be very exciting.”
While England’s batsmen toiled against India at Lord’s, former Test captain Alastair Cook top scored with 68 from 66 balls as Essex posted an impressive first-innings total of 289 all out from 49.4 overs.
That was truly a brilliant performance yesterday, I’m coming to the final it’s going to be a great day. One request please @GlamCricket can @SJ_reingold have a number on his shirt, he deserves it!!
— John Evans (@OoJohnnyEvzoO) August 17, 2021
Glamorgan’s bowlers underperformed on the whole despite Cooke’s wickets although Michael Hogan and Andrew Salter were notable exceptions.
Hamish Rutherford (67) and Nick Selman (59) impressed for the Welsh side in reply, but the game was decided by a stunning, unbeaten stand of 111 between Cooke and Tom Cullen (41 not out).
Cooke won it with a six and punched the air in delight as a thrilling game came to a close.
Glamorgan will now face either Durham or Surrey – who play their semi-final on Tuesday – at Trent Bridge on Thursday.