Jordon Cox recently reflected on the appendix surgery he underwent last month, a procedure that could have derailed his career. Instead, the right-handed batter made a remarkable recovery and has since received his maiden call-up to the England national team. Cox has been named in the 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, stepping in after Zak Crawley was sidelined with a finger injury.
Initially, doctors estimated a recovery period of two to three months, which would have kept him out of the Hundred Men’s competition, where he plays for the Oval Invincibles. Despite this, Cox was hurriedly brought back into action. He learned of his Test call-up while on a morning walk, after receiving a missed call.
"I was in hospital for three hours. They told me at midnight that we needed to operate immediately. The surgeon estimated an eight-to-twelve-week recovery period, which would have ruled me out of the Hundred, and that was quite upsetting," Cox told ESPNcricinfo.
Cox has played two matches in the Hundred so far, scoring 29 runs at an average of 14.50 with a strike-rate of 93.54. He has mentioned feeling some lingering discomfort in his hamstring.
His selection for the Test squad came as a surprise, as Cox had anticipated a call-up for the ODI or T20I formats.
"I didn’t expect the call-up to be for the Test side. I thought I was closer to being selected for the white-ball formats. To get a call for all three formats would be incredible," he added.
The Test series against Sri Lanka is set to begin on August 21, with the opening match at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.