Jordan Cox will bat at number three for England in the first two Tests against Pakistan, starting on 19 August 2026, after selector Marcus North gave the Essex opener a clear guarantee of his role in the absence of the injured Jacob Bethell. Cox, whose England career has so far included a handful of white-ball caps and a Test debut delayed by injury, said the certainty of the instruction has made the challenge easier to embrace.
England confirmed their squad for the series on 6 August 2026, with Cox named to bat at first drop alongside recalls for Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence and Sam Cook, as detailed in England's earlier squad announcement for the Pakistan series. Joe Root returns as captain for the series, according to , which also reported that Bethell's absence stemmed from a knee injury sustained during the India ODI series.
Why has Cox been given the No 3 role?
North told Cox directly that he would retain the position for both of the opening two Tests unless injury intervened, a level of certainty the batter said he valued highly.
Northy didn't have to go: 'You're batting at three in these two Test matches', but he did. This is 100% – unless I get injured. Clarity's one of the best things in sport.
North also encouraged Cox to stick to the game that has served him well domestically rather than adapt his approach for the step up.
do what you've been doing, don't change the way you've been playing in county cricket, go have fun and embrace the challenge
Cox acknowledged the unfamiliarity of the assignment, having built his reputation as an opener in county cricket rather than as a middle-order anchor.
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.
How has Cox performed with the bat recently?
His solitary previous outing at first drop in first-class cricket came in 2019, as an 18-year-old against Nottinghamshire, when he was dismissed twice by Ravichandran Ashwin. Since then Cox has established himself as a powerful presence lower in the order for Essex, striking a 201-ball 204 against Leicestershire in June 2026. He had already shown strong early-summer form, having made an unbeaten 184 on 13 June 2026, as reported in an earlier round-up of county cricket highlights from that period. Cox's Test debut eventually arrived this summer at number seven, filling in when Ben Stokes was suspended for the match against New Zealand at the Oval, a game in which he was still at the crease alongside Jofra Archer as England chased the game on the third day, according to coverage of that Test and an earlier report on how New Zealand took control on day two of that match.
What is the threat posed by Mohammad Abbas?
Cox's task at first drop is complicated by the presence of Mohammad Abbas, one of the most accomplished new-ball operators to have played county cricket in recent years. One report noted that Abbas has taken 171 wickets in England at an average of 20.49, a record that underlines why he is regarded as the central threat in Pakistan's attack, according to Pakistan Today. Abbas continued to sharpen his form in the buildup, taking three wickets in a warm-up match against a County Select XI at Beckenham, as detailed by the Express Tribune.
Is Pakistan captain Babar Azam fit to play?
Pakistan have yet to confirm whether captain Babar Azam will be available for the opening Test after he retired hurt following a blow to his right hand during the same warm-up fixture at Beckenham last week. Abbas said the decision would be made on the day of the match.
Hopefully he will be fine. The medical team is looking at him. He played some balls [at training], a few throw-downs.
Abbas sounded more confident about the availability of former captain Shan Masood, who broke a finger during the first Test against West Indies last month. Masood offers valuable experience of English conditions, having toured with Pakistan six years ago and scored County Championship centuries for Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Pakistan's touring squad also includes wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and batter Saud Shakeel, according to a squad list reported by Geo Super.
What is happening with England's preparations?
Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson, on duty for Trent Rockets and Manchester Super Giants respectively, missed England's rain-affected training session at Headingley on Monday but were due to join the squad for practice on Tuesday. England have named a 16-man squad with extensive seam-bowling cover in case either player is unavailable. Brydon Carse, who played for Sunrisers Leeds in Friday's Eliminator at the Oval, was also involved in training as he pushes to make his first Test appearance since the Ashes.
What is happening in the women's game?
Separately, Charlie Dean will captain England's women's team for next month's three one-day internationals against Ireland in the absence of Nat Sciver-Brunt. Dean previously stood in as captain during white-ball series against New Zealand and India this summer and again during the group stage of the T20 World Cup when Sciver-Brunt was injured. Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt-Hodge remain focused on managing their fitness and recovery and will both miss the Ireland series, along with senior players Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell and Amy Jones. The squad named to face Ireland is: C Dean (captain), M Bouchier, A Capsey, K Chathli, T Corteen-Coleman, S Dunkley, L Filer, D Gibson, J Grewcock, F Kemp, R MacDonald-Gay, C Pavely, G Potts, M Villiers, I Wong.
What happens next?
The first Test between England and Pakistan is scheduled to run from 19 to 23 August 2026 at Headingley, with the second Test following at Lord's from 27 to 31 August 2026, according to Geo Super. Pakistan are expected to confirm Babar Azam's fitness on the morning of the opening match.
Key Facts
- Jordan Cox will bat at number three for England's first two Tests against Pakistan, starting 19 August 2026 at Headingley.
- England selector Marcus North guaranteed Cox the role for both matches unless he is injured.
- Mohammad Abbas has taken 171 wickets in England at an average of 20.49, according to Pakistan Today.
- Babar Azam's availability for the first Test remains undecided after a hand injury sustained in a warm-up match at Beckenham.
- The second Test is scheduled for Lord's from 27 to 31 August 2026.
