NEWS
Follow UsJordan Cox is all set to become the 718th player to play Test cricket for England as the 24-year-old is likely to make his Test debut as a wicketkeeper in the three-Test series against New Zealand, with incumbent Jamie Smith set to go on paternity leave.
England’s three-match Test series away in New Zealand starts November 28, and Smith is expected to play in the first Test in Christchurch. But with Smith and his partner expecting a baby mid-December, the 24-year-old is in line to be replaced by Cox for the final two Tests, which will be played from December 6-10 and December 14-18, respectively.
"It's life, right? People have kids, and we wish them all the best to be there and support their partners. At this stage, it looks like Jamie will probably play the first [Test in New Zealand] and may miss the next two,” England head coach Brendon McCullum said.
“We're not totally sure - it's up to Mother Nature a little - but we know we've got Jordan Cox in the squad here."
Cox, also 24, made his international debut in the T20Is against Australia in September and is currently with the England Test side in Pakistan as a spare batter. He came close to debuting during the home summer but ultimately ended up not getting a game.
The right-hander has been in outstanding form in red-ball cricket this year, having smashed 763 runs at an average of 69.36.
Should he debut, Cox will fill in as the wicketkeeper, but the interesting part is that he has not kept wickets in red-ball cricket all year. In fact, Cox has only kept wickets six times in his red-ball career, all six of those instances coming in 2023.
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