Jordan Cox set for Test debut as Jamie Smith says he doesn’t care about losing his place in England XI

Young England National Cricket Team batter Jordan Cox is in line to make his Test debut for the team. It is learned that the keeper-batter will be playing the Test series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team in the absence of the regular keeper, Jamie Smith.

After the ongoing Test series against the Pakistan National Cricket Team, the England National Cricket Team will be touring New Zealand for the three-match series. The first game will be played on 28th November, followed by the second game to be played on 6th December. The series will conclude with the third game on 14th December.

England keeper Jamie Smith will be missing the Test series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. The reports claimed that he will be on the paternity leave. He and his partner are expecting their first child in mid-December, with the birth likely to clash with either England's second or third Test in New Zealand.

Being at the birth of my son is not something I want to miss - Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith himself confirmed that he will be missing the Test series against New Zealand. He said that he didn't want to miss the birth of his first child. He claimed that even if he loses his place in the team, he is fine with it. Speaking to Daily Mail, he explained:

"Being at the birth of my son is not something I want to miss. It will be a memory that I cherish more than any in cricket anyway, so if I lost my place because of it, so be it."

Jordan Cox, on the other hand, has been a regular member of the England setup. He was all set to keep wickets for Essex this summer, but he sustained a horrific broken finger in The Hundred and then couldn't keep the wickets. But he has been working on his keeping with Brendon McCullum in Pakistan.

Jordan Cox made his international debut in England's T20I series against Australia last month. The reports in ESPNCricinfo claimed that the keeper-batter will soon be added to the squads for their upcoming white-ball tour to the Caribbean.

Brendon McCullum talks about Jamie Smith's absence from the New Zealand Tests

England head coach Brendon McCullum talked about Jamie Smith's absence from the New Zealand Tests, saying that the keeper-batter will play the first game and will miss the second match. He also talked about the possibility of Jordan Cox. He stated:

"It's life, right? People have kids, and we wish them all the best to be there and support their partners. At this stage, it looks like Jamie will probably play the first [Test in New Zealand] and may miss the next two. We're not totally sure - it's up to Mother Nature a little - but we know we've got Jordan Cox in the squad here."

Jordan Cox changed his county team from Kent to Essex recently. The keeper-batter scored four hundreds while averaging 65.57 in his first County Championship season for them and made himself a huge name.

If Jamie does return home, to bat down the order and take the gloves... - Brendon McCullum on Jordan Cox

Brendon McCullum further hailed Jordan Cox, saying that he's got a high ceiling in terms of talent. He also mentioned that the keeper-batter will be making his debut if Jamie Smith missed two games against New Zealand. He explained:

"He's annoyingly good at everything he does - particularly on the golf course. He's one of those guys that you look at and say he's got a high ceiling in terms of talent, particularly with bat in hand. There's a fair chance that he'll get the opportunity in New Zealand, if Jamie does return home, to bat down the order and take the gloves."