Though cox

With Ollie Pope: England wicketkeeper Jordan Cox is set to make his Test debut during the upcoming tour of New Zealand, as first-choice keeper Jamie Smith is expected to miss part of the series due to the birth of his first child.

England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Smith, who has been England’s regular wicketkeeper since the beginning of the home summer, is likely to play the first of the three Tests before returning home, with Cox primed to step in for the remaining two matches.

Cox, who turns 24 on Monday, is currently the backup keeper on England’s tour of Pakistan, and McCullum believes the New Zealand tour will offer a perfect opportunity to assess Cox's capabilities in Test cricket.