Joe Cooke made his first-class debut for Glamorgan in 2020. Born in Hemel Hempstead, Joe played age-group cricket for Hertfordshire and, after a series of excellent performances for Radlett CC, he made his Minor County debut for Hertfordshire whilst still at school.
Joe attended Durham University and, during the last week of March 2017, he made his first-class debut for Durham MCCU against Gloucestershire at Bristol. Joe subsequently appeared for the university in three further first-class matches, besides captaining the side in 2017.
The left-handed batsman and right-arm seam bowler made his Second Eleven Championship debut in 2019, having also played for Sussex 2nd XI and the MCC Young Cricketers the previous summer. Joe topped Glamorgan’s Second Eleven Championship batting averages in 2019 with his tally including 131 against Sussex. His reward for the century against Sussex was a contract with the Welsh county and during 2020, as well as 2021, he had a stint as an opening batter in the Welsh county’s Championship games.
2021 also saw Joe play a crucial role in Glamorgan’s success in the Royal London Cup, with the all-rounder scoring an unbeaten 66, besides claiming a five-wicket haul, as the Welsh county defeated the Essex Eagles at Sophia Gardens to clinch a place in the final of the competition. His performance against Essex were also the best all-round match return for Glamorgan in List A cricket since 1970, and a few days later, he played a starring role again with the ball as the Welsh county won the competition by defeating Durham in the final at Trent Bridge.
However, Joe failed to secure a regular place in the red-ball or white-ball team during 2022 and he was released from the county’s staff at the end of the season.
COOKE, Joseph Michael
Born – Hemel Hempstead 30th May 1997
Best performance:
In first-class cricket – 68 v Surrey at The Oval, 2021.
In List A cricket – 66* and 5/61 v Essex at Sophia Gardens, 2021.
In T20 cricket – 10* v Surrey at The Oval, 2022.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 50 | 100 | CT | ST | |
| In first-class cricket | 10 | 17 | 2 | 251 | 16.73 | 1 | – | 8 | – |
| In List A cricket | 17 | 12 | 3 | 266 | 29.56 | 1 | – | 9 | – |
| In T20 cricket | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Balls | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Average | 5wI | |
| In first-class cricket | 66 | 0 | 51 | 0 | – | – |
| In List A cricket | 623 | 5 | 485 | 22 | 22.05 | 1 |