Hook happy to be homeward bound

KEEP SMILING . . . Kevin Hook is going home to Zimbabwe to set up a chicken farm.

CRICKET: A SUCCESSFUL two years with Huddersfield League Premiership outfit Delph came to an abrupt and painful end for Kevin Hook on Saturday.

The popular Zimbabwean all-rounder (22) – classed as an EU amateur thanks to his Irish passport – had impressed with the bat at Skelmanthorpe but as the hosts replied he suffered an agonising injury.

“I was picking up the ball and slipped as I tried to avoid a drainage hole.

“My ankle got caught in it; my body went one way and the joint the other and I heard a massive crack, like a stick breaking. I was in agony and knew it injury was serious.”

After having a cast fitted to the broken ankle, disappointed Hook feared his flight to Harare on Monday would have to be rescheduled.

“I was told I might be stuck here for a number of weeks beyond my planned stay. “But on Tuesday the doctor took the plaster off. I’ve still got protection around my foot, but at least I can travel.”

Ahead of a possible further 12 weeks of recuperation, Hook said: “I’ve really enjoyed the last three summers at Swinton Moorside and then Delph. It’s been a great experience and I’ve learned so much.

“But when I go back home I’ll be working hard on trying to make my business a success so – though you can never say never – I don’t think I’ll be back in the UK for the foreseeable future.”