'I'm more than happy to play with a bit of pain' - Jordan Cox determined to gain match practice ahead of SL Tests
The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been included in the squad as a stand-in for opener Zak Crawley, who has been sidelined due to a fractured finger.
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Current wicketkeeper-batter for Essex, Jordan Cox, who required appendix surgery after departing from the field due to cramps in the abdomen during Essex's County Championship game against Surrey on June 30, has recently been selected as a replacement for Test regular Zak Crawley, who will be unavailable due to a fractured finger.
Despite the surgeon advising an 8-12 week hiatus from cricket post-appendix surgery for complete recovery, Cox made a swift return to the field with the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred 2024. Although he acknowledged he was not at full fitness, he expressed his satisfaction with playing the sport he cherishes, even amidst some discomfort.
"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," stated Cox while talking to BBC Essex Sport, as quoted by BBC Sport.
To get the call in red-ball felt amazing: Cox
Cox also reminisced about a humorous episode where, while casually going about his day, he noticed a missed call from England’s red-ball coach, Brendon McCullum. McCullum subsequently informed him of his inclusion in the Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka.
"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," narrated Cox.
While Cox's domestic red-ball statistics are impressive, boasting 3,039 runs across 82 innings, it was his superior T20 record that led him to anticipate a call-up to the white-ball format before the red-ball side. Surprisingly, the reverse occurred, with the opportunity to join the Test squad materializing first.
"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," added Cox.
Also Read: Sri Lanka announce squad for England Test series; Pathum Nissanka, Jeffrey Vandersay return
The series against Sri Lanka is set to commence on August 21, with the first Test scheduled to be held at Old Trafford.
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