Jordan Cox Set for England Number Three Role Against Pakistan

Jordan Cox is preparing for a major promotion in England's Test batting order, with the 25-year-old set to take the number three position against Pakistan at Headingley. BBC Sport reports that Cox has been told he will fill the role for at least the first two matches of the three-Test series because Jacob Bethell is absent with a knee injury. The opening Test begins on Wednesday.

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Cox made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June, batting at number seven in a heavily changed England side. He scored 27 and 25 in a match England lost. His next assignment comes in another reshaped team: Ben Stokes has retired, Joe Root is beginning a second spell as captain, and interim coach Marcus Trescothick is in charge until Stephen Fleming takes over in the winter.

The Essex batter told BBC Sport that guidance from Virat Kohli has remained important to him. Cox joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru this year as the club defended its Indian Premier League title. He did not appear in a match but formed a relationship with the former India captain, and the pair also met in London before Cox's Test debut. Kohli's central message before that first appearance was to enjoy a moment that only comes once and recognise the sacrifices made by family and friends.

Cox said he expects that advice to stay with him forever and described Kohli as someone he can contact when he feels low or needs help. Their conversations also covered Cox's disappointment in New Zealand in 2024. He had been in line to replace Jamie Smith, who was on paternity leave, but broke his thumb in the nets three days before the match and missed the whole series. The opportunity instead went to Bethell.

England's wider selection remained unsettled on Monday. Dan Lawrence has been recalled to bat at number six and provide off-spin, while the hosts appear likely to choose four specialist pace bowlers. Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue were travelling from London after Sunday's Hundred final, and training in Leeds was affected by mixed weather. If available, they could join Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson in the attack.

The series arrives with both sides seeking to change difficult recent records. England have won only two of their past 10 Tests, according to the BBC, while Pakistan have not won a Test series in England for 30 years. The tourists are also monitoring captain Babar Azam and Shan Masood after hand and finger injuries respectively. Cox's move to number three is therefore part of a broader reset for an England side entering the series with new leadership and several personnel questions.