Cook suffers suspected heart attack

Durham head coach Geoff Cook is in hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack, the club have confirmed.

The county released the following statement regarding the 61-year-old: "Durham County Cricket Club can confirm that head coach Geoff Cook was taken ill at Chester-le-Street this morning. Geoff was taken to hospital and is undergoing treatment for a suspected heart attack. The club is awaiting further news on his condition and our thoughts are with Geoff, Judith and his family."

Durham are due to host Hampshire at the Emirates ICG on Saturday in a Yorkshire Bank 40 match.

Cook played in seven Tests and six one-day internationals for England in 1982 and 1983 and became director of cricket at Durham when they became a first-class county in 1991.

He was named as head coach in 2007, immediately winning the Friends Provident Trophy, and brought the club back to back county championship titles in 2007 and 2008. They had never won the championship before.

Messages of support for Cook on Thursday night came from Durham captain Paul Collingwood and former England skipper Michael Vaughan.

Collingwood wrote on Twitter: "All our thoughts with Geoff Cook and his family. Sad sad day."

Vaughan added: "Thoughts and prayers are with Geoff Cook and his family...A great man.. Get well soon Geoff..."

England spinner Graeme Swann also took to Twitter to wish Cook well, writing: "Just heard the news about Geoff Cook. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for him."

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior posted: "Thoughts are with Geoff Cook and his family at this time. Fingers crossed for a full and speedy recovery."