Stuart Broad has lavished commendation on the young Essex batsman Jordan Cox, suggesting that his recent performance could earn him a place behind the stumps in England's Test side, potentially succeeding Jamie Smith. In the opening Test against Pakistan, Cox, who was drafted in for the injured Jacob Bethell, produced a composed 73 runs off 100 balls while occupying the crucial No. 3 slot.
His innings featured ten boundaries and marked his maiden half‑century in Test cricket, achieved in only his second appearance at the highest level. Cox’s contribution was part of a broader batting display in which four England top‑order players reached fifty or more, helping the hosts amass a 195‑run advantage by the close of day two at Headingley. Although Bethell is expected to return to the No. 3 position once his knee recovers, Broad believes that Cox’s knock has opened a door for him to claim a different role within the Test XI, perhaps even as a wicket‑keeper who can bat lower down the order.
"I thought he played really nicely," Broad said during the Sky Sports Cricket podcast. "He's batting at three in his second Test, he’s scored plenty of runs for Essex, usually at four or five, with an average of around 65. The England slot at three opened because of Jacob’s injury, and he seized it." Broad went on to acknowledge the inevitable return of Bethell, noting the young all‑rounder’s recent century at the Sydney Cricket Ground and his overall quality.
"Half of his mind must be thinking, ‘Jacob’s coming back, there’s no doubt about that,’" Broad observed. "But if I keep scoring runs, maybe I could become the wicket‑keeper batting at seven – that could be my niche in the side." He added that the pathway to that niche would be forged through consistency and resilience: "He’ll need to prove his worth with the runs, show he’s street‑wise, battle‑hardened and ready for the fight. He displayed all those attributes today on a pitch that offered a little bite and spin. England will be pleased with the 364‑run lead, and Cox will be delighted with his contribution." Broad also turned his attention to all‑rounder Dan Lawrence, who recorded his first Test fifty since 2022 after coming in at No.
6. While Lawrence’s batting was praised, Broad emphasized that his future as a potential replacement for Ben Stokes hinges on his bowling.
"The number six or seven slot in front of Jamie Smith is up for grabs," Broad said. "Will Jacks is an option, but he’s currently unavailable. This is the Stokes conundrum.
Lawrence can score useful runs, but his bowling must improve. He’s taken nine wickets at an average above 70 for Surrey this season; if he can start taking wickets in Tests, it could solve the all‑rounder puzzle and let England rotate four genuine quicks." He continued, "Dan has been in and out of the side, opened the batting at times, filled gaps, and been a solid team player. Now England are saying, ‘Here’s your shirt, you’re batting at six, contribute with the ball, and you’ll have a place for the South Africa series and the Ashes.’ It’s a massive opportunity." Cox’s journey to this moment has been anything but smooth.
He missed a scheduled debut in December 2024 after breaking a thumb in training, and Jacob Bethell subsequently leap‑frogged him in the pecking order. The recent chance at Headingley represents his second shot at Test cricket, and he appears determined to make the most of it, refusing to settle for a merely solid start. Reflecting on his innings, Cox admitted, "I think I let myself down a tiny bit, but you have to take 70‑odd runs, right? I would have taken it at the start of the Test.
It’s about trying to push through that door as much as possible and then smashing it down. Once I reached fifty I moved quickly to sixty, thinking ‘if I stay disciplined ball by ball, I can keep going.’" He added, "I always had the thought in the back of my mind, ‘You’ve worked so hard, don’t waste this opportunity.’ That’s exactly how I approach county cricket – I look at the target, break it down and work towards it." Cox also commented on the collective mindset of the English side after the first day’s batting display. "Every player wants a Test hundred, and four of us got fifties today, so one of us could have gone on to a hundred.
Instead of stopping at a hundred, we should aim for 150, 160, 170 – that would put us in a far stronger position," he said. "I’m not happy yet. If we can add another fifty, we’ll have more to do with the ball." Looking ahead, England will continue the series at Headingley with day three scheduled to start at 10:15 am (11 am local time, weather permitting) on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. The team will aim to extend the lead, give Cox further chances to cement his place, and assess whether Lawrence can evolve into the long‑desired all‑rounder who can complement or eventually replace Stokes.
The upcoming matches against Pakistan and the subsequent South Africa tour will be crucial in determining whether these emerging talents can secure permanent roles in England’s Test lineup.