Jordan Cox's timing has been off, but his batting form has been strong. He has averaged more than 60 in the County Championship since joining Essex from Kent two years ago and possesses significant white-ball pedigree. He produced an unbeaten 29-ball 86 in the Hundred at the Oval and views that ground as ideal for cricket. Selection misfortune has impeded his England breakthrough: a broken thumb days before a Test debut in New Zealand cost him a spot, with Jacob Bethell taking the place. An abdominal injury later forced him out of a Test squad versus Zimbabwe. He has focused on recovering fitness and returning to run-scoring.
The 24-year-old averages more than 60 in the County Championship since joining Essex from Kent two years ago, and he has serious white-ball pedigree. He meets the Spin at the Oval four days after his unbeaten 29-ball 86 in the Hundred on this ground. It's the best place in the world to play cricket, he says. No, the luck hasn't gone his way with England.
Cox was readying himself for a Test debut in New Zealand last November, penned in as the keeper-bat while Jamie Smith took paternity leave for the three-match series. But days out from the first Test, the stand-in broke his thumb while batting in the nets. It was a moment on which careers can turn. In came Jacob Bethell as Ollie Pope moved down the order, the former establishing himself as English cricket's Next Big Thing.
The winter was definitely a big step back, says Cox. But I've spoken to a lot of people just talking about how it must have happened for a reason. I keep telling myself that I clearly wasn't ready for Test cricket yet. And that was someone telling me that if I do get an opportunity, I'll be ready for it then.
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