What's happened
Jordan Cox, set to debut as England's wicketkeeper in Christchurch, suffered a hand injury during warm-ups, ruling him out of the first Test. Ollie Pope will take over the gloves, with Phil Salt likely to be called up for subsequent matches.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Rory Dollard from The Independent reported that Cox's injury occurred during warm-ups, stating, "Cox was sent for X-rays after the pain failed to settle and received the bad news that he had sustained a fracture." Ali Martin from The Guardian noted the implications of Pope taking over the gloves, highlighting that he has performed this role occasionally in the past. The Independent also mentioned the potential call-up of Phil Salt, emphasizing the urgency of finding a suitable replacement for the upcoming Tests. Overall, the coverage reflects a consensus on the challenges England faces in light of Cox's injury, with various sources discussing the impact on team dynamics and potential replacements.
How we got here
Cox was expected to fill in for Jamie Smith, who is on paternity leave. His injury occurred during a warm-up match against the Prime Minister's XI, leading to a scramble for a replacement keeper.
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Jamie Smith may refer to:
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