Jordan Cox of Essex hit a hundred in a County Championship match against Somerset but retired hurt immediately afterwards.
Cox played three ODIs and T20Is in 2024, but the Test cap has remained elusive. England had included him in the squad for the three-Test home series against Sri Lanka, but he did not get a game.
Cox was also picked for the three-Test series in New Zealand in 2024/25 as reserve wicketkeeper. He was in line for a Test debut when Jamie Smith missed the tour, but a fractured right thumb ruled him out of the series.
The selectors then included Cox for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, to be played at Trent Bridge from May 22. Sam Cook, the other uncapped cricketer in that squad, is also from Essex.
Cox made 26 on the same day, against Somerset at Taunton, after Lewis Gregory won the toss and opted to field. Essex made 206 in the first innings before Simon Harmer (4-43) helped secure a 61-run lead.
Coming to bat at 45-2 in the second innings, Cox took control of the innings. In due course of time, he went past fifty and approached his hundred. On 98, he cut a ball from Jack Leach to backward point and set off for a single. As the throw came to the non-striker’s end, he dived and looked visibly hurt.
Cox, on 99 that this point, resumed after receiving treatment from the Essex medical team. In Leach’s next over, he reverse-swept for four to reach his tenth first-class hundred. He played out the next ball and, as Leach took his sweater from the umpire, walked away, retired hurt for 103.
Cox did not resume his innings. He suffered a suspected side strain and is currently being assessed by the Essex medical team.
Essex made 259 as Leach (3-73) and Migael Pretorius (3-36) stood out for the bowling side. Chasing 321, Somerset played out a maiden over before lunch.
