DOMINIC Cork is the final piece in Lancashire's County Championship jigsaw, according to Neil Fairbrother.

The Red Rose outfit had to be content with runners-up spot yet again last season as dark horses Sussex denied Mike Watkinson's men their first outright County title since 1934.

Lancashire pounced during the close season to secure the signature of the former England all-rounder after his decision to leave Derbyshire. And Red Rose legend Fairbrother believes the county now have the squad to lift the title next summer.

"Dominic Cork is a high quality cricketer and I'm sure he will not only bring experience but also vitality to the Lancashire side," said Fairbrother, who won four B&H Cups, three NatWest Trophies and three National Sunday League titles, during his 20-year spell at Old Trafford.

Positive

"Dominic will be a real positive for Lancashire and, hopefully, with him on board we can win the championship."

And Fairbrother believes Cork is the ideal man to replace Andrew Flintoff, who will spend most of next season on England duty.

He said: "Freddie has a fantastic character. A lot of sport legends are built on character and Freddie is no different. On top of that he bowls fast and is a great all-rounder. It is a blow that Lancashire will be without him for most of the season.

"If Freddie continues to produce the same standard of cricket as he has for the last 12 months, people will talk about him for a long time to come."

But despite Flintoff surpassing Ian Botham's record of 44 sixes in one-day internationals during the tour of Bangladesh, Fairbrother finds comparisons with Botham irksome.

"Ian Botham's record is absolutely second to none and to compare Fred with Ian is unfair on Fred," said Fairbrother.

Glory days

"Freddie is Freddie - he can create his own niche within the England game."

And the left-hander feels Flintoff could help England return to their glory days.

He said: "Cricket, like any other sport, goes round in cycles and sides peak within that cycle. Australia are on top now, before that the West Indies dominated for 20 years. Sooner or later England will have their peak. All we need is a world beating fast bowler or spinner.

"Whether it has been Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath, it makes them unbeatable. Maybe it will be Andrew Flintoff for us."

For all the latest odds ring BETFRED on 0800 73 11 210

Tweet