England in New Zealand: Jordan Cox out of Test series with broken thumb
Vice-captain Pope took over the gloves on the second day of Sunday’s warm-up match, but with Queenstown limited to 14 players and some nets opting for extra time, England had to call on James Anderson as an outfielder.
Anderson, 42, has worked as an England bowling consultant since retiring from Test cricket in July and is involved in the Indian Premier League auction, which begins on Sunday.
The injury was cruel to Cox, who was facing a fall from England assistant coach Geetan Patel.
Cox has been the backup wicketkeeper and batsman in the Test team since the summer and has been informed that he will make his debut in place of Smith.
England will call for a replacement but Cox’s injury is the latest in an ever-changing scene behind the stumps. Smith, 24, was first choice at home at the start of the summer after Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes were dropped.
A return for both seems unlikely. Phil Salt has been representing England in white-ball cricket, while Durham’s Ollie Robinson has impressed in the County Championship.
Somerset’s James Rew, 20, is an exciting new star currently playing for the England Lions in South Africa, while another 20-year-old from Lancashire is Matty Her. Matty Hurst.
Admitting a 113-game losing streak When both sides batted on the first day The Prime Minister’s XI posted 313-5 in 66 overs, with Olly Stone taking 3-53 as England bowlers picked him out.
There was little time left in the day, with only Joe Root (82 off 54 balls) and Ben Stokes (59 off 39 balls) crossing the single-digit mark Count, the two put on 111 balls for the fifth wicket.
Despite the wicket tumbling, the tourists narrowly escaped an unlikely victory but the match ended with England at 196-9 in 22 overs, five runs short of the target.
