England lose keeper-batter to injury ahead of New Zealand Test series
The 24-year-old up-and-coming talent picked up a thumb injury and will miss the entirety of the tour.
Undergoing their final set of preparations ahead of the three-match Test series against New Zealand, England have been setback by the injury of wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox.
The 24-year-old, who was set to make his debut in the first Test next week, sustained a fracture in his right thumb while batting in the nets in Queenstown ahead of a two-day tour match.
A statement from England Cricket confirmed that Ollie Pope will be stepping in behind the stumps in Cox’s absence while a replacement will be named in the due course.
“I’m gutted for Jordan. He has been shaping up nicely, both with the bat and gloves, since we got to New Zealand,” England’s head coach Brendon McCullum said.
“That’s sport, and unfortunately, these things happen. We will get around him and look after him. He is resilient, and his time will come at some point in the future,” he added.
World Test Championship Standings
Cox, who has featured in two T20Is and as many ODIs for England, was slated to earn his first Test cap next week in the absence of the incumbent Jamie Smith, who is on a paternity leave.
Sitting sixth in the ICC World Test Championship points table, while England are out of contention for a place in next year’s final at Lord’s, New Zealand are still in the race for the two spots, placed fourth in the table.