Alastair Cook set to return for Essex against Somerset
Thursday 13 April 2017 12:03, UK
Alastair Cook is set to start his first-class season for Essex against Somerset on Friday after missing his club's opening match of the campaign because of a sore hip.
The former England Test captain was cleared by the England and Wales Cricket Board, along with several fellow centrally-contracted players, to start the summer last week.
Cook had to pull out of the match at home to Lancashire but has been named by Essex in a 13-man squad to take on Somerset at Taunton in Division One of the Specsavers County Championship.
The 32-year-old opener tested his recovery, following injections to ease the injury, in the nets this week, and has been passed fit to play.
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He is set to play his first innings in first-class cricket since resigning as England captain two months ago with Joe Root named as his successor.
Essex, who draw with Lancashire last week after a century from Daniel Lawrence, have also added all-rounder Ashar Zaidi to their line-up.
