Stuart Broad has lavished commendation on the young Essex batsman Jordan Cox, suggesting that the 22‑year‑old could eventually take over wicket‑keeping duties from Jamie Smith in England's Test side. Broad’s comments came after Cox produced a striking 73 runs off 100 balls in the opening Test against Pakistan at Headingley, a performance that marked his second appearance in the longest format. Cox entered the match as a replacement for the injured Jacob Bethell and was handed the crucial No. 3 slot in the batting order.
From the outset he displayed a confident approach, striking ten boundaries on his way to a maiden Test half‑century. His innings was one of four England top‑order scores that crossed the fifty‑run mark, collectively helping the hosts amass a 195‑run advantage over a modest Pakistani effort by the close of day two. While Bethell is expected to reclaim his No.
3 berth once his knee recovers, Broad believes Cox’s display could open the door to a different role in the side – perhaps as a lower‑order wicket‑keeper‑batsman. "I thought he played really nicely," Broad said on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.
He noted that Cox has been a prolific run‑getter for Essex, usually batting at four or five and averaging 65 in county matches. "The opportunity in the England side isn’t at four or five, it’s at three because of Jacob Bethell’s injury, so he wants to grab that opportunity," Broad explained.
Broad also speculated on Cox’s mindset, suggesting the youngster is aware that Bethell will soon return. "Half of his mind must be thinking, ‘well, Jacob Bethell’s coming back into this side – there’s no doubt about that.’" He added that Cox may be considering a future as a wicket‑keeper who bats at seven, a slot that would allow him to stay in the XI even after Bethell’s comeback. "If I score runs, maybe I could be the wicket‑keeper batting number seven – and maybe that’s his slot into this team," Broad said. According to Broad, Cox’s claim to such a role would rest on his ability to keep scoring runs and demonstrating the grit required at the highest level.
"He’s going to do that by weight of runs and showing that he’s street‑wise, battle‑hardened and ready for the fight. He showed all those attributes today, and he played really nicely on a pitch that has nibbled and spun a little bit," the England fast‑bowler praised. He concluded that England would be pleased with the position they had forged – a 364‑run lead – and that Cox would be delighted with his contribution. Broad did not limit his praise to Cox; he also highlighted the all‑round performance of Dan Lawrence, who posted his first Test fifty since 2022 after coming in at No.
6. Lawrence’s innings added depth to England’s batting, but Broad stressed that for Lawrence to be considered a genuine replacement for Ben Stokes, he must also make a stronger impact with the ball.
"That number seven or number six spot in front of Jamie Smith is up for grabs," Broad said, pointing out that Will Jacks is currently unavailable and that England are still wrestling with the "Stokes conundrum". Lawrence has taken nine wickets this season for Surrey at an average exceeding 70, a figure that Broad believes needs improvement if he is to solidify an all‑rounder berth.
"If he can go and pick up useful wickets with the ball, that could solve that all‑rounder conundrum and allow England to play the four quicks that they can rotate throughout," Broad argued. He urged Lawrence to seize the chance, noting that the team will soon face South Africa and then the Ashes, tournaments where a reliable sixth‑order batsman who can also contribute with the ball would be invaluable.
In Broad’s view, the upcoming fixtures present a pivotal moment for both Cox and Lawrence. "England have gone: ‘here’s your shirt, you’re batting six, make some useful contributions with the ball. We’ve got South Africa coming next, if you can hold up an end – then we’ve got the Ashes. What an opportunity for him.’" The fast‑bowler’s remarks underline the competitive environment within the England Test squad, where emerging talents must not only perform with the bat but also prove their versatility to secure a permanent place.
Overall, Broad’s endorsement of Cox suggests that the young Essex player could evolve into a dual‑role cricketer for England – a reliable top‑order batsman who can also don the gloves when needed. Meanwhile, Lawrence’s path to becoming a true all‑rounder hinges on translating his county bowling success into impactful Test wickets. Both players stand at a crossroads, with upcoming series against South Africa and the Ashes offering the platform to cement their futures in the national side.