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