Interview with Jono Cook

Welcome Jono,

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

My earliest memory of cricket is playing milo-type cricket in an open field out in Broken Hill. I must have been about 6 at the time. My earliest memory of organized cricket would be U/7s or 8s when you would pair up and bat 4 overs, gaining bonus runs for not getting out. I can’t really remember if we got out but I do remember running a 5 and being pretty proud of myself (aided by some poor fielding).

Who was your favourite player growing up?

Ricky Ponting without a doubt. I think growing up during the early 00s everyone idolised him and I was lucky enough to meet him last year. Along with Ponting I loved watching Damien Martyn and as I got older AB De Villiers and Kumar Sangakkarra.

Do you have a nickname?

My last name provides a little platform for new nicknames. Jono was the first one ever given to me and obviously has stuck but also cookie, chef, JC etc.

How did you end up playing for Western Suburbs?

I was playing over in Ireland at the time and I received a message from Dave Thompson (WSCC boardman). He had heard I was looking at moving to Sydney. So the day after I flew back from Europe I caught up with him, Dave Gilbert and a couple of others who pitched the history and culture of WSCC to me and convinced me to make the move.

What sparked your interest in becoming a leg spinner?

I honestly can’t remember. When I was really young I bowled pace. I do remember getting hit for a few boundaries and because I was so angry I came in and pegged the ball (I was 7-8 at the time). This may have sparked the realisation that fast bowling isn’t for me but what turned me to leg spin rather than off spin!? I’m not entirely sure. Until I was 18 I was more of a batsman so the spinning component of my game was just an additional piece of skill which gradually overtook my batting.

What do you see as your best attributes as a cricketer?

I think what has helped me the most in the success I have had as a bowler is my uniqueness. In the type of bowler I am and the way I grip the ball is very different from most leggies and in T20 cricket when you don’t have much time to get use to certain bowlers it is an attribute that has helped my development and progression the most. 

Who’s the best batsman you’ve bowled to?

As a junior I played against Steve Smith and Phil Hughes but more recently the likes of Aaron Finch, Chris Lyn, Brendan McCullum, George Bailey, Matt Wayde. If you can count net sessions then I’ve been lucky enough to bowl to many of the NSW players and some English players like Joe Root and Jos Butler.  

Who was the biggest influence in your cricket career?

Can’t really go pass my dad. I could count on one hand how many games he missed during my entire junior career. He was a coach of many of my teams, supported me whenever possible and kept giving me throw downs even when his shoulder was shot. He won’t see this so I can write all this down.

You’re a contracted player with the Sydney Thunder in the BBL, can you remember how you were feeling on debut?

I was incredibly nervous, obviously. I was told early in the day that I would bowl the first ball so I was really paranoid about the grip of the new ball and keeping my hands as dry as possible. But as the game went on you ease into things and the nerves go away and you can enjoy the situation a lot more and take in the atmosphere.

What’s your most memorable moment playing for the Thunder?

My favorite performance memory was probably the game against the Scorchers. Getting out Bancroft and not getting hit for many was pretty nice and then the game ended up going down to the last ball so there was this massive buzz in the stadium. But the thing I reflect on now is the day-to-day life of the BBL – travelling around the country, training and playing. For someone who has a normal job outside of cricket it’s pretty sweet and I gained a lot of memories just from that.

What’s your most memorable moment playing for Western Suburbs?

A few years ago, we had a pretty special turn out for our ‘Back to Pratten’ by a large group of supporters, current and former players, and friends of the playing group. We played two T20s and we won them both. The playing group really stepped up and we had some amazing support (particular from the big group of boys dressed up as wrestlers on the hill under the scoreboard).

Another memorable moment for me personally was when I played against 3 of my housemates (Sydney Uni) and we thrashed them! A pretty rewarding feeling but it still can’t surpass that Back to Pratten Day.

Which ground in NSW Premier Cricket is your most favourite?

Trick question? Outside of Pratten of course it would have to be either Drummoyne (curated by our own Nick Cutler) or Mosman.

Do you have any cricketing superstitions?

When I was a batter and probably until recently, I had a couple when I batted. I wouldn’t take my helmet off unless it was drinks, every boundary (mine or my partners) I had to touch the opposite batting crease. These went away when I realized they had no impact on my batting performance (probably after a number of consecutive low scores where it couldn’t get any worse). 

If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1 flight to London who would you choose to be on your left and right?

David Attenborough and Jimmy Carr

Which two Wests players would you choose to be next to?

Greg Dyer and Dave Gilbert

Who’s the funniest team mate at Wests?

Easy…Jehungir Ali (just ask him about how he combats cramping)

What advice would you offer a young 13 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?

Be a sponge. Absorb all the information you get and what’s available to you. Whether its direct advice on your own cricket (batting, bowling and fielding) or indirectly through watching cricket and listening to current and former players. And don’t hesitate in asking questions about your game and the game in general.

What are your hobbies?

I like running and swimming, catching up with friends, going on coffee crawls. Most things outdoors!

What is your occupation?

I’m an environmental planner.

You may as well give your employer a plug, who do you work for?

The National Broadband Network (NBN).

Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?

My time as captain at Wests and my previous teams in Wollongong and junior cricket gave me a lot of experience in man-management, organisation and, I suppose, patience (which I admittedly lack at times).

It’s also helped massively in my communication skills – talking to large groups, public speaking and being able to deliver messages (good or bad) to individuals.

All going well, what’s your personal goal for season 2019/20

To just simply play as much cricket as I possibly can.