Jordan Cox's journey with England has been a challenging one, marked by early setbacks and a recent breakthrough. After a couple of white-ball appearances and a long-awaited Test debut, Cox now finds himself stepping into a new role as he prepares for the three-match series against Pakistan.

Cox, who debuted at No 7 filling in for the suspended Ben Stokes against New Zealand at the Oval, will now bat at first drop in the absence of the injured Jacob Bethell. England selector Marcus North provided clarity to Cox's role, stating, "You’re batting at three in these two Test matches," to which Cox expressed gratitude for the straightforward message.

Cox emphasizes the importance of clarity in sports, stating, "This is 100% – unless I get injured. Clarity’s one of the best things in sport." He has been encouraged to maintain his county cricket approach, adding, "I don’t think I’ve ever batted three before but I’ve opened for probably two years in county cricket for Kent. So look, it will be fun, I’m looking forward to it."

Despite his inexperience batting at No 3, Cox has impressed at No 4 with a standout performance of 204 runs against Leicestershire. He faces a significant challenge ahead, particularly against Mohammad Abbas, who is known for his prowess with the new ball.

In the backdrop, Pakistan is uncertain about the fitness of their captain Babar Azam, who suffered a hand injury during a warm-up match. Mohammad Abbas has indicated that a decision on Babar's participation will be made on the day of the match. As both teams prepare, the stage is set for an exciting Test series.