England wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox has been dominated out of the Check sequence in New Zealand with a fractured thumb after after being struck on the hand within the nets.
The Essex participant was set to deputise for Jamie Smith behind the stumps within the three-match sequence towards the Black Caps, which begins in Christchurch on Thursday, however England will now be pressured right into a rethink.
Cox was despatched for X-rays after being pinned on the precise glove within the warm-ups forward of day two of England’s sole warm-up recreation towards a New Zealand Prime Minister’s XI in Queenstown.
England later confirmed the extent of the harm, with head coach Brendon McCullum saying after Cox was denied a Check debut: “I’m gutted for Jordan. He has been shaping up nicely, both with the bat and gloves, since we got to New Zealand.
“That is sport, and sadly, these items occur. We are going to get round him and take care of him. He’s resilient, and his time will come sooner or later sooner or later.”
Which wicketkeepers might England flip to?
Ollie Pope stood in as wicketkeeper – a place he has stuffed 3 times in his 52 Assessments – towards the New Zealand Prime Minister’s XI and should accomplish that once more within the first Check, however a alternative for Cox will probably be known as up sooner or later.
England white-ball wicketkeeper Phil Salt is at the moment enjoying within the Abu Dhabi T10 match and might be a candidate for a call-up if Cox’s finger harm proves critical.
Jonny Bairstow can be enjoying in that competitors and does nonetheless possess an England central contract, though the nationwide crew appear to have moved on from him in all codecs.
Ben Foakes, who was not awarded a deal when the newest central contracts replace was introduced in October, can be an choice, as are Durham’s Ollie Robinson and Somerset’s James Rew.
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James Anderson made a quick return to England motion in New Zealand as a sub fielder throughout a warm-up match in Queenstown
Anderson fields as England wanting gamers
Cox has not stored wicket in first-class cricket since July 2023 after a grotesque finger harm, though he did take the gloves for England on day one in Queenstown and claimed a catch off Gus Atkinson.
The 24-year-old’s knock within the nets on Sunday, coupled with Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed not linking up with the squad till Monday after enjoying within the latest white-ball sequence within the West Indies, meant England needed to name upon bowling mentor James Anderson as an alternative fielder for a brief interval.
Skipper Ben Stokes additionally took to the sector at John Davies Oval after opting to take a seat out day one of many fixture, which resulted in a draw.
England’s Check tour of New Zealand
- First Check: November 28-December 2 (Christchurch)
- Second Check: December 6-10 (Wellington)
- Third Check: December 14-18 (Hamilton)
