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Jordan Cox committed to gaining match fitness before Sri Lanka series

Although not fully recovered, Cox is eager to contribute to the team

Jordan Cox committed to gaining match fitness before Sri Lanka series PHOTO: AFP

Essex wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox has been called up as a replacement for Zak Crawley in England's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Crawley, a regular in the Test team, was ruled out due to a fractured finger, paving the way for Cox's unexpected selection.

Cox's inclusion comes just weeks after he underwent appendix surgery, following a bout of severe abdominal cramps during Essex's County Championship match against Surrey on June 30. Despite being advised by doctors to take 8-12 weeks off for recovery, Cox made a quick return to the field, playing for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred 2024.

Although not fully recovered, Cox is eager to contribute to the team. 

"I'm still not 100% but now I know I'm not going to do any further damage to my body, I'm more than happy to play with a bit of pain," Cox said. 

Cox recalled the surprise he felt upon learning of his selection. While at Battersea Park, he initially ignored a missed call, thinking it was a telemarketer. It turned out to be England's red-ball coach, Brendon McCullum, informing him of his inclusion in the Test squad.

"I was at Battersea Park and I had a missed call. I just thought it was someone trying to sell me something so left it. Then, Baz sent me a text saying 'give me a call back, it's Baz'. I called back pretty quick hoping he didn't choose someone else instead of me," Cox recounted.

Although Cox has an impressive domestic red-ball record with 3,039 runs in 82 innings, he believed his strong T20 performances would lead to a white-ball call-up before a Test opportunity. However, his unexpected selection for the red-ball squad left him thrilled.

"I've always felt I was a bit closer to the white-ball side than anything, so to get the call in the red-ball setup is amazing. I didn't think what I did this year would have any effect. There are so many good young players out there, I thought I had to do it for a couple of years and keep smashing that door down," he concluded.

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka is set to begin on August 21 at Old Trafford.