Buttler Out, Cox In: England's Bold Gamble for the ODI Decider

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-27

### Jordan Cox Gets His Shot as England Chase Series Win Jordan Cox is about to step onto the biggest stage of his white-ball career. On Sunday at The Oval, he's expected to make his first ODI appearance since 2024, filling in for the injured Jos Buttler in the series decider against Sri Lanka. Buttler's hamstring injury opened the door, and Cox has been waiting for exactly this kind of chance all summer. ### A Summer of Stepping In It's been a strange few months for the 25-year-old. Every time he's looked set for a break, someone else's injury has pushed him into the spotlight. First, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson withdrew from the Test side, giving Cox his shot. Then Jacob Bethell went down with a knee problem, and Cox returned against Pakistan, smashing three fifties in five innings. But he knows the other side of that coin too. Two winters ago, a fractured thumb in the nets cost him a Test debut in New Zealand. So this summer's run? It's come after a long, frustrating wait. > "I've learned more about my game in the last two years than at any point in my career," Cox said. "Watching from the outside makes you hungry." ### From Two Years Out to Three Formats In Cox made his white-ball debut back in 2024, but then didn't play for England again until this year. That gap, he says, taught him a lot about his red-ball game and sharpened his desire to get back. When Bethell got injured, Cox slotted in at No. 3 and wanted to prove he could be trusted. Then, during the third Test against Pakistan, Jamie Smith hurt his finger, so Cox took the gloves. He grabbed five dismissals and hit the winning run as England swept the series 3-0. That kind of versatility – batting anywhere, keeping wicket – is exactly why he's now in the ODI frame. ### What This Recall Really Means If Cox plays on Sunday, it'll be just his tenth List A appearance. That's a pretty thin resume compared to his exposure in Tests and T20Is. But with Buttler out, England get a look at their depth behind the stumps. And there's a lot on the line. England have a brutal winter ahead: tours of Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh. The ECB is also about to announce central contracts, and a strong showing at The Oval could tip the scales. Sri Lanka levelled the series with a win at Headingley on Thursday, so England will be desperate to close it out 2-1. For Cox, it's another chance to show he's ready when opportunity knocks. And this summer, that's been his specialty.