What the papers said about . . . Dominic Cork

"For all England's supposed shortfall in talent, it is a long- standing deficiency in the cardiac region that has mostly been responsible for a record that has made Mrs Hubbard's cupboard resemble Mike Gatting's larder, so it was appropriate that the architect of yesterday's decisive thrust should have been Derbyshire's Dominic Cork. Cork has always had a big heart." Independent

"Corky screws them . . . Bottle was needed - and a chap called Cork provided it." Sun

"Diversity can be both the beauty and the bane of English cricket. After the champagne and euphoria of Lord's, Dominic Cork spent the night in a Cambridgeshire market town unused to hosting national heroes. From 7am , the switchboard facilities at Ye Olde Griffin (one AA star), the premier hotel in March, came under severe strain." Times

"Advice from Malcolm Marshall at a clinic at Chesterfield in the spring - particularly the guidance which enabled him to master the inswinger - completed the polishing of an ambitious and talented cricketer. His batting can only improve. As for his bowling, the cork was ready for pulling on a mature wine before the Headingley Test and it is just a pity that he was not picked there." Telegraph

"Cork was cock of the walk last night, and relishing every second. Here is an England player who chases the bright lights and never shrinks from them; a hustler who dreams of bigger stakes, and bigger triumphs." Guardian

"I was amused when it was revealed he has a picture of me positioned in pride of place on the family mantelpiece. After his record-breaking effort at Lord's, I think his wife should replace it with her own hero - Dominic Gerald Cork, a man more than worthy of finally filling my boots." Ian Botham, Mirror

"Cork was roared into the crease by a crowd now 10,000-strong and he obliged with the last two wickets in three balls, before collecting the player of the match award while rubbing his eyes dreamily, as if for fear that he might wake up." Times