Jordan Cox has struggled for luck in his brief international career. A broken thumb denied him a Test debut against New Zealand last winter; an abdominal injury forced him out of the squad to face Zimbabwe at the start of this summer. And after England bowled first in the final T20 international against Ireland, he jarred a knee while taking a catch in the deep, forcing him off the field and bringing into question what role he would play in the chase.
But a grimacing knock was also a breakthrough: Cox struck a 35-ball 55, his first international half-century, in a chase of 155, securing England a comfy six-wicket victory and a 2-0 series win. Having entered at 33 for two, the 24-year-old – who was not originally included in the touring party – was tested in an experimental middle order and reeled off the strokes that made him the leading run-scorer in this year’s Hundred. Tom Banton showed calm, too, putting on 49 with Cox and remaining unbeaten on 37.
