DANNY Ford revealed how both Ben and Zach Cook would occupy the “engine room” of Pirates’ septet – after snapping up the Aussie brothers for 2022.

The Cowra-born siblings spent last season finding their feet in British speedway during their debut campaigns.

Ben was part of the Pirates team which won the SGB Championship and Knockout Cup.

While not officially a Pirate last season, Zach played a key role stepping in for the Wimborne Road outfit as a guest during the business end of the fixtures, following an injury to Stefan Nielsen.

He had spent 2021 as part of the Plymouth Gladiators’ line-up, before teaming up with his brother to rubber-stamp a league play-off final victory for Poole over Glasgow in the second leg.

With both of the brothers set to don the skull and crossbones next season, Ford is expecting big things from them in the main body of the team.

He told the Daily Echo: “I am delighted to have them both back.

“Last year would have been the first time they have seen a lot of the tracks, so it was definitely a learning experience for them.

“Both of them now are moving into the main body of the team, so it’s kind of the engine room they are going to be in.

“They need to put in some good performances and back up our heat leaders. I believe that in those two we will be seeing improvement throughout the season.

“They are both young guys, both really want to press on in their careers and it’s a great opportunity for them to do that.”

He added: “Ben had a fantastic start to the season last year when he came in and was a real powerhouse down at reserve, putting in some absolutely stellar performances.

“He picked up an injury when he was doing a guest performance up at Redcar, which kind of hampered his season quite a bit.

“When he came back, I felt he wasn’t quite as strong. I don’t believe he was fully fit and it coincided with his move into the main body of the team.

“That made it very difficult for him and his performances do reflect that. We know Ben does have the potential – we saw that at the start of the year, if he’s fully fit.

“He has had a long offseason now. He’s working really hard on his fitness, so we expect him to come fighting back and make that spot in the main body of the team his own.

“With Zach, he was kind of an honorary Pirate last year already.

“The performances he made as a guest made it impossible not to sign him. I think everyone would agree with that.

“He was a real hero when we needed it. When we lost Stef (Nielsen), we were scrounging around for guests and trying to pick which ones to use at the right times.

“Zach was by far the best of them. We had to use him tactically and it paid dividends in the end. To bring him back was an absolute no-brainer.”

The duo both stayed with Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch last season – and are set to base themselves at the same location once more.

“They will both be staying with Middlo again. It gives them that home away from home,” added Ford.

“We know that a lot of the Aussies come over and stay with Middlo. They make that their second home and that’s so important for them.

“Being young lads, moving to the other side of the world – to have that stability and base. I think that will stand them in good stead for the coming season.”

The Aussie pair are set to join Danny King, Steve Worrall and Nathan Ablitt, who have already been announced in the club’s class of 2022.

Two spaces remain for the Dorset club to complete their side, who will again be managed by bosses Middleditch and Gary Havelock.