After losing to Pakistan in a three-match Test series, the Test team of England is gearing up for the Test series against New Zealand.
The white-all squad of the England side saw a happy-and-sad moment in their white-ball fixture against West Indies, winning the T20 leg while losing the ODI leg to the Maroon Shirts.
Nevertheless, coming into the Test series against the Black caps, England suffered a huge blow as Jordan Cox was ruled out for the Test series.
“Cox will play no further part in our Test tour of New Zealand after sustaining a thumb injury in training.”
The incident occurred on Sunday morning in Queenstown during net session before the final day of their tour match against Prime Minister’s XI.
The wicket-keeper batter was set to make his Test debut but now his thumb has a fracture. With Jamie Smith being out due to partneral leave and Cox due to injury, the decision of replacing Cox would be a headache.
“I’m gutted for Jordan (Cox),” Test head coach Brendon McCullum said. “He has been shaping up nicely, both with the bat and gloves, since we got to New Zealand.
“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.”
Somerset’s James Rew and Lancashire’s Matty Hurst are some possible replacements of Cox.
Ollie Pope stood for Cox to complete the warm-up fixture ahead of the first Test match. Nevertheless, Pope won’t be keeping for the side heading to the main series as he is already struggling at 3. He averaged 11 against Pakistan so England won’t give him an extra responsibility to cope with.
Jordan Cox is set to remain with the squad in Christchurch, with a possible Australian getaway on the horizon before he heads back home, marking a rare break since the English summer.
Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed will join the squad on Monday as they were on a break after competing in white-ball fixture against West Indies.
The replacement of Jordan Cox is expected to be announced within the next 48 hours!
The three-match Test series between the said nation will begin from 28th November. With England out of the World Test Championship’ final qualification scenario, this Test series is important for the home side.
If they win all the three games against the Three Lions, they will have a stronger chance to play their second final of the World Test Championship.
Squads:
New Zealand Test squad for England series: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
England squad for Test series against New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Bryson Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
