Potential England Batsmen: Five Alternatives Should Jordan Cox Be Excluded from the Zimbabwe Test
Damn bad luck for Jordan Cox, dude! Another freakin' injury could keep him out of England's Test match against Zimbabwe. After a suspected side strain during a match against Somerset, Cox now waits to see if he'll join the team at Trent Bridge. Even if he makes it, he might not start, and there's the question of who might take his spot if he can't play.
Here are five potential candidates to step in if Cox can't go:
Tom Banton, the Score-Slaying Beast
Banton's record-breaking triple century in the season opener skyrocketed him up the list of batters hoping to crack England's Test squad. At 26, Banton's been called back to the white-ball team, but struggled to break into the Somerset Championship side as a teen. Last season, Banton averaged almost 50, with a standout innings at Taunton. However, since his triple hundred, he's tanked. Poor showings in his last matches, including a duck against Somerset, may count against him. Banton's "Bazballness" might help, though.
James Rew, the Prodigy
More than competing with Banton is Rew, his Somerset teammate. Rew became the youngest English batter since Denis Compton to score 10 first-class centuries with a great effort against Essex last week. This was his second century of the season and, arguably, his best. Still just 21, Rew's been a superstar at Taunton since he was a kid. He scored over a thousand runs in the 2023 Championship before his 20th birthday and enjoyed a respectable average last year, scoring two centuries. However, Rew's never played T20 and has a moderate first-class strike-rate. But with no one his age making runs like Rew, that might still work in his favor.
Ben McKinney, the Rising Star
While McKinney wasn't a backup for an out-of-form Zak Crawley, Cox's injury could provide an opportunity for McKinney to debut in a Test. The 20-year-old made an important 153 against Warwickshire last month and impressed with England Lions over the winter. McKinney's an opener, while Cox bats in the middle, but McCullum and Stokes would be eager to check out a young, inexperienced batter like McKinney. A back-spasm before Durham's game against Hampshire could complicate matters, though.
Dan Lawrence, the English Hope
England might consider Lawrence, another option at their disposal. After a rough tour against Sri Lanka, Lawrence was dropped for the winter Tests. However, strong performances in his last two innings, including a century against Sussex and a crucial 55 against Somerset, suggest he's back in form.
Jonny Bairstow, the Glovesman?
It's been over a year since Bairstow played a Test, but the question of whether he'd be recalled hasn't been put to rest. In his new role as Yorkshire captain, Bairstow scored a half-century in the first game of the season and made 86 last month against Durham. In the latest County Championship round, Bairstow led a powerful middle order with Root and Brook, and outscored the duo in the first innings. It seems unlikely England would prioritize recalling Bairstow, but stranger things have happened.
Maybe No One at All
With Cox as the backup batter in the 13-player squad and Jos Buttler due to return from the IPL, it's possible England will go without a replacement for Cox.
Longshots
If Cox can't play, there are a few players putting up impressive numbers in the County Championship, but without much chance of a call-up. Tom Haines leads Division One in runs, but he'd need a prolonged streak to catch England's eye. Sussex captain John Simpson's returns since arriving at the south coast club last year have been spectacular, but at 37 and without a Test cap, a promotion might be areach. There are also former Test players like Haseeb Hameed and Dom Sibley, who sit further down the list of potential replacements. Keep up with the latest cricket news, stats, and updates on our website. Stay informed about player developments, team standings, match highlights, and video analysis, in addition to live scores and odds.
In light of Jordan Cox's potential absence, Tom Banton could be a contender, having demonstrated his "Bazballness" with a record-breaking triple century earlier in the season. Meanwhile, James Rew, who became the youngest English batter to score 10 first-class centuries, may also grab the opportunity. The rising star, Ben McKinney, might make his Test debut, given his impressive performance against Warwickshire. Furthermore, Dan Lawrence's recent form could catch the eye of England's selectors, despite a rough tour against Sri Lanka. However, it's noteworthy that England might not call anyone up, relying on their existing squad if Cox is unable to play.
