Jordan Cox: The Injury That Could Launch His England ODI Career

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-27

### A Familiar Path: Injuries Open Doors Jordan Cox is about to get his shot. On Sunday, England faces Sri Lanka at The Oval in the series decider, and Cox is set to make his first ODI appearance since 2024. Why now? Because regular wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is out with a hamstring injury. It's a story Cox knows all too well: his rise this summer has been fueled by others' misfortunes. But don't get it twisted—Cox has earned this. The 25-year-old has already played Tests and T20Is this year, and an ODI cap would complete the set across all three formats. That's no small feat. ### The Rollercoaster Ride Cox's journey hasn't been a straight line. Two winters ago, a fractured thumb in the nets cost him a Test debut in New Zealand. He had to wait. And wait. But when opportunities finally came this summer, he grabbed them with both hands. He stepped into the Test side at The Oval after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were withdrawn. Then, against Pakistan, he returned when Jacob Bethell was sidelined with a knee problem. In five innings, he smashed three fifties. Not bad for a guy who was on the outside looking in. > "Watching teammates succeed for England while I was out of the picture pushed me to want another chance," Cox said. "I wanted to prove people could trust me." That chance came at No. 3 in the Test team, and he didn't disappoint. He even kept wicket in the third Test against Pakistan after Jamie Smith injured his finger, taking five dismissals and hitting the winning run to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Talk about versatility. ### What This Recall Means If Cox plays on Sunday, it'll be only his tenth List A appearance. That's a stark reminder of how thin his experience is at this level compared to his exposure in other formats. But with Buttler out, England gets a look at its depth behind the stumps. England have a brutal winter ahead: tours of Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh. Cox isn't looking too far ahead, though. "I'm just focusing on taking chances as they come," he said. Smart approach. The ECB will announce its next round of central contracts soon, and a strong showing at The Oval could sway their decision. No pressure, right? ### The Bigger Picture Sri Lanka leveled the series with a win at Headingley on Thursday, so England will be desperate to close out the tour with a 2-1 result. For Cox, a recall on Sunday would be another step in a summer that has repeatedly rewarded him for being ready. It's a reminder that in sports, timing is everything. Injuries are brutal, but they create openings. And Cox has shown he's more than capable of seizing them. Whether he becomes a regular or remains a depth option, one thing's clear: he's making the most of every chance. So keep an eye on The Oval this Sunday. You might just witness the next chapter in Cox's unlikely rise.