by Jordan Cox has been ruled out of England’s Test series against New Zealand after breaking his thumb in the nets, forcing the tourists into a late change of plans.
Cox had been booked for his Test debut in Christchurch next week, filling the wicketkeeping role left by Jamie Smith, who is back at home awaiting the birth of his first child.
But misfortune struck the 24-year-old when he was hit on the right glove while batting during warm-up on the second morning of their two-day warm-up match in Queenstown.
Cox was sent for x-rays after the pain failed to subside and received the bad news that he had suffered a fracture within hours.
With no specialist back-up keeper in the squad, vice-captain Ollie Pope has been called upon to take the gloves for the second innings against the Prime Minister’s XI and will likely be called into action in the opening match of the series, which will begin at 10 p.m. Wednesday evening.
This is perhaps an unwanted distraction for Pope, who has done this job very occasionally in the past, but finds himself short of space at number three after a down spell against Pakistan.
England are expected to call in reinforcements for the second and third Tests, with white-ball keeper Phil Salt perhaps the most attractive option ahead of Durham’s Ollie Robinson.
The highly experienced Jonny Bairstow has almost a year left on his central contract but appears to have been relegated to the past and the same could be true for Ben Foakes, despite his peerless skills behind the stumps.
Cox was expected to become number 717 in the England men’s team, but that honor could now go to Jacob Bethell, who has been fast-tracked as batting cover for this series and could now be thrust straight into the XI.
The 21-year-old hasn’t even joined the team yet after taking part in the recent white-ball trip to the West Indies and is due to meet his new teammates in Christchurch on Monday, alongside the leg-spinner. Réhan Ahmed.
Confirming Cox’s imminent departure, England head coach Brendon McCullum said: “I’m gutted for Jordan. He’s been shaping up well, both with the bat and the gloves, since we arrived in New Zealand.
“It’s sport and unfortunately these things happen. We will go around him and take care of him. He is resilient and his time will come at some point in the future.
The blow to Cox saw England call upon the services of recently retired James Anderson on Sunday morning.
With Harry Brook, Joe Root and Zak Crawley, they found themselves short of numbers and brought in their 42-year-old bowling consultant for a few overs to make up for the numbers on the field.
It was the first time he had donned the whites since bowing out in emotional scenes at Lord’s last summer.
England were put through a tough workout by the Prime Minister’s XI, who declared a score of 313 for five in their second innings before reducing the tourists to 196 for nine en route to a draw.
Captain Ben Stokes, who had planned to sit out the match and only appeared as a replacement for Cox, made 59 from just 39 deliveries and Root reached an unbeaten 82.
