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Jordan Cox is ready to help England end their international summer on a high but admits the injured Jos Buttler leaves “big shoes to fill”.
England take on Sri Lanka in the Metro Bank ODI Series decider at the Kia Oval on Sunday, the final act of a dramatic season that has seen the shock retirement of Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum’s sacking as Test coach and the continued growth of Harry Brook’s white-ball setup.
Cox has been slowly establishing himself throughout, taking some encouraging first steps in the Test arena and featuring in the 3-0 T20 sweep against Sri Lanka that briefly took England to number one in the world rankings.
Now the hamstring injury that cut Buttler down mid-chase at Headingley on Thursday, and helped the tourists square the scoreline at 1-1, has presented a chance for him to make his one-day return.
He is in prime position to step in as wicketkeeper-batter, but knows Buttler leaves a sizeable void.
“Someone’s unfortunate injury gives someone else an opportunity and, whoever plays, it’s going to be an amazing last day of the year,” he told the Press Association.
“If do get that opportunity it will be awesome. You’ve got to look forward to the challenge. They’re big shoes to fill, for sure – Jos is probably the best ever white-ball cricketer we’ve produced.
“He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to so from watching him on TV to being in a squad with him is pretty amazing, just knowing the calm nature he has and the presence around the dressing room.
“Being 1-1 isn’t what we wanted but for the series to be on the line and to finish at The Oval, with a packed house, will be pretty special. They’re the games you want to be playing in. It’s about enjoying the moment and finishing the summer on a high.”
To go from the peripheries of the setup to playing in all three formats in the space of little more than a month shows how quickly Cox’s stock is rising.
He occupied the pivotal number three position in the Test series against Pakistan, making three half-centuries in five innings despite difficult batting conditions, and the 25-year-old has carried himself with a confidence that was lacking in his first bite at international cricket in 2024.
“I definitely feel like the extra two years helped me get to know my game, especially in red-ball format,” he said.
“I was young, you don’t really understand what it means to play for England. Now I’ve had time away, two years of not being able to play and seeing other people do well for England, and you go, ‘I really want a slice of that’.
“It’s something I really wanted to do, I wanted people to be able to trust me – even in that number three spot when Beth (Jacob Bethell) was unfortunately injured – for people to say, ‘he’s taken it with both hands’. I feel like I’ve done that.
“But you can reflect when you retire. I understand that I’ve had a lucky year, or a good year, playing so much for England but it’s only a start.”
Cox is set to round out his breakthrough year by netting his first central contract when the next deals are announced next week, cementing his growing status in the dressing room.
“Everyone wants to get a central contract,” he added.
“If I get the call after the day’s play on Sunday, or Monday morning, then that would be pretty special.”
