The Australian all-rounder gave his countrymen a torrid time when appearing for Northamptonshire in a recent tour match in between the fourth and fifth Ashes tests – hitting a century off 77 balls to equal a career high knock of 131. Crook, 32, formerly of Middlesex and Lancashire caught up with Will Godley on Friday to discuss that incredible innings as well as a few further topics such as future goals and life behind cricket.
Will: What were your emotions on causing your home country so much pain? I imagine there was mainly joy, but did you have mixed feelings?
Steven: Yeah it’s always good to get runs any time but obviously in particular against a quality attack like Australia’s. I only thought about my own performance, I treated it like any innings.
Will: What is your mind set going into such a game, which is in effect a warm up match? Do you treat it like a practice game or a good opportunity?
Steven: Well it was a first class game, so there was a competitive environment. You want to represent yourself well, as does anyone going out there. So it was definitely an opportunity for me.
Will: Where does that rank in all-time favourite knocks?
Steven: It would probably have to be up there. It’s always nice to get runs and especially against some of the world’s best.
Will: How have your family and Australian mates reacted to it?
Steven: It’s actually been ok. I have had a few messages and been asked to do some interviews and media work on the back of it.
Will: Who knows, Australia may need you in their team considering their current state…
Steven: To be honest I thought they finished the Ashes very well, by bouncing back in the last test.
Will: You would expect them to win the Ashes back in Australia?
Steven: I don’t know mate, it’s a long way away right now. I think it will be tough.
Will: You have spent most of your first-class career in England, but obviously you grew up in Australia…Which country would you say has had the most influence on your career out of the 2?
Steven: That’s a difficult question to answer. I spent a lot of my junior years in Australia, but since 18 I have been over here (in England). Both environments have posed tough challenges. I can’t pick one to be honest. Let’s just say my foundation came in Australia but I have been in England for 13 years, so both have played a big role in my cricket career.
Will: And now what are your goals for the future?
Steven: Well tomorrow is the T20 Big Blast finals day for Northamptonshire, so a big day. My focus is on that at the moment. I can’t look too far ahead, I take it one day at a time.
(Northamptonshire finished runners-up to Lancashire on Saturday, on the Natwest T20 Big Blast finals day.)