Young trio handed rookie deals

11 Oct 2019 | Cricket

Roman Walker, Callum Taylor and Joe Cooke have all been handed rookie contracts with Glamorgan Cricket.

Taylor and Cooke have signed one-year contracts, while Walker has penned a two-year deal.

North Walian, Walker (19) made his first XI debut against Sussex in the Royal London One-Day Cup where he struck the winning runs during a record run chase.

He also played three matches in the Vitality Blast, where he took five wickets, including 3/39 in Glamorgan’s victory against Hampshire.

Callum Taylor and Joe Cooke have both been given one-year deals after leading the run-scoring charts in the 2nd XI this year.

Newport-born, Taylor (21) made his Glamorgan debut in the rained-off game against Essex at Sophia Gardens and went on to play four games in the Vitality Blast.

Taylor scored 649 runs across all formats for the 2nd XI in 2019, including 103* against Kent at Newport, and was nominated for 2nd XI Player of the Year and Young Player of the year at the recent player awards ceremony.

Twenty-two-year-old Cooke was given a summer contract this year and was one of the leading lights for the 2nd XI, topping the 2nd XI Championship run charts for Glamorgan with 465 runs, including a top score of 131 against Sussex.

Director of cricket, Mark Wallace, said: “Roman, Callum, and Joe are three exciting young players.

“We’ve seen what Roman can do in the Royal London One-Day Cup and Vitality Blast, where he showed a cool head under pressure in some difficult situations. He’s got an impressive skillset and a high ceiling to how much he could develop in the future.”

“Callum and Joe scored the runs we wanted them to in the 2nd XI. Callum got his opportunity to play in the first XI in a difficult T20 season and impressed with his energetic fielding and adaptable batting.

“We brought Joe in mid-season and he’s thrived in a professional environment, impressing everyone with his attitude and wide skill-set. He can bat anywhere in the order and bowl seam and will add another young player into our developing group.

“We are looking forward to getting more time to work with all three over the winter.”

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