Cook to relinquish captain's role

Cook has agreed a two-year contract with Cornish Pirates

Rob Cook is to step down as captain of Lincolnshire's minor counties cricket side to pursue a career in rugby union.

Cook, 24, has signed a professional deal with Cornish Pirates who will play in the newly-created Championship.

Last season he captained Nuneaton to the National Three (North) title, and led Lincolnshire's Minor Counties Eastern Division winning side.

Cook told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "It's a great opportunity for me and one that I've got to take."

He added: "Moving down to Cornwall is obviously a big decision for me, but if I looked back in a few years' time and thought "I had the chance" then I'd regret it massively.

"The fact that it's a two-year deal made it easier, but being a professional sportsman's always been a dream of mine since I was a kid."

Cook will captain Lincolnshire in their remaining MCCA Knock-out Trophy group matches before stepping down.

Director of cricket Mark Fell said: "We've been talking about it with Rob for quite a while, he's been very open about it.

"It is a loss but we will move on. You don't get many chances to play sport professionally so it's a great opportunity for Rob and hopefully he'll make the most of it."