Player Blog: Cockbain on his contract extension, melbourne and ambitions for 2017
21 December 2016
Hello again from the other side of the world.
I would like to say it is sunny and hot but unfortunately the weather here in Melbourne has been pretty ordinary so far. I am back playing in Melbourne after a few years away, so it is very nice to get back to my second home and catch up with some familiar faces. I am playing for a team called Bonbeach Tangy in the Southern Bayside Cricket Association.
Last season was a bit of a frustrating season for me personally. After starting in the Championship side and then struggling for a bit of form, it was hard to take, but then the Natwest T20 Blast started and I managed to find some form and put together a run of scores. We had a great tournament but came unstuck from a game changing spell from Mark Wood of Durham.
I am pleased to say I have signed a new contract at Gloucestershire, taking me through to 2019.
I want to continue our recent success and strive for more silverware which we are more than capable of achieving with the exciting talent we have within our squad.
My training over the past few months has consisted mainly of work in the gym and working on my fitness. I have been playing on a Saturday and training twice a week on my skills. After Christmas I will be cranking up my skill work along with my weights and fitness, getting myself as ready as I can be for when I get home to hit the ground running for the new season.
I will be be having a bit of time off over the Christmas break where i'll be getting up to Sydney for a week with my partner Amy and her family. After that the pair of us will get up to Brisbane with more of Amy's family for the New Years celebrations and then heading back down to Melbourne to get stuck back into cricket.
I am very excited about the start of next season where I believe we can keep improving and push for promotion into Division 1. I am also very confident of Gloucestershire going one better in the Natwest T20 Blast and getting through to Finals Day as well as pushing for more silverware in the 50 Over format!!
Hope everyone has a brilliant Christmas and New Year celebration. I look forward to seeing you all at the Brightside Ground in the new season.
Coey
Watch Ian Cockbain in action in 2017 with a Gloucestershire Cricket membership. Early-bird memberships are now available. Click here for more information.
