Jordan Cox: English cricketer eyes BBL berth, NSW Premier Cricket

A rising English keeper-batsman, crowned Player of the Match in the recent T20 Blast final, is closing in on an opportunity to showcase his talents in the BBL.

A young English cricketing prospect developing his talents in the Sydney grade cricket scene has been summoned to join Hobart Hurricanes BBL squad for tonight’s match against a red-hot Sydney Sixers outfit.

Mosman Cricket Club wicketkeeper-batsman Jordan Cox has been named in the 15-man squad as a replacement for fellow Englishman Harry Brook.

Brook has been selected for an England Lions tour match against Australia A in Queensland beginning on Thursday, which saw him unavailable for his Hurricanes commitments.

Cox previously told NewsLocal he was hoping to explore opportunities in the BBL during his Australian stay this summer, following his player of the match heroics in the T20 Blast final.

The Englishman’s last match in the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup saw him score a quickfire 40 of 24 balls, including two sixes, against Randwick-Petersham at Petersham Oval.

Any takers? English prospect eyes BBL berth after T20 Blast heroics

– November 24

It has been a whirlwind six months for 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Jordan Cox with the rising English prospect, in his own words, describing the period as “life-changing”.

A quickfire 58 not out in the T20 Blast final for Kent Spitfires which included a freakish catch ‘assist’ which went viral across the globe saw the youngster awarded Player of the Match.

Just months earlier Cox had to pinch himself after receiving a call from former Australian Test cricketer Tom Moody to be offered a wildcard contract for Oval Invincibles in the inaugural The Hundred competition.

Mosman’s Jordan Cox. Picture: Jeremy Ng

Now, the 21-year-old has returned to Australian shores for his second consecutive summer and linked with the unbeaten Mosman Cricket Club for the NSW Premier Cricket season.

But the Whales’ navy blue uniform might not be the only playing strip Cox wears this summer, with the short-form weapon hoping to showcase his talent in the Big Bash League.

BBL OPPORTUNITIES

Cox didn’t hide the fact a major motivation behind his Aussie return was the potential for a BBL berth after holding discussions with two franchises.

“If I come out here score runs and do well, maybe a BBL deal would come about,” he said. “We’ve talked to a few teams but nothing has come about yet.”

“So hopefully, you know, someone gets injured; you don’t wish an injury on anyone but I really want to have a go because I feel like I’m batting really nicely at the minute and I think I’d give it a good crack.”

The former England under-19 representative said developing his game in the Sydney grade cricket competition would give him an advantage against his English rivals.

“It’s a chance to try to get another step ahead of everyone else back home,” he said. “All the people (in England) are standing still, doing gym sessions, while I am out here playing cricket so hopefully that keeps me in good stead.”

Daunted by the extreme prices for overseas luggage, Cox made the decision to ship his cricket kit a week before his departure with his allocated 25kg luggage limit to be taken up by clothes and shoes.

KIT CHAOS

Three matches into his Aussie summer Cox was borrowing pads, bats and helmets from his Mosman teammates after his cricket kit failed to arrive, only to be discovered in Germany.

“It was a bit embarrassing for myself, I can assure you,” he said.

Cox had his personal kit for Round 3. Picture: Jeremy Ng

With his cricket kit back in his possession, Cox steered Mosman to their third successive first grade win with a classy 70 not out.

“You just feel more comfortable in your gear because you trust it,” he said. “You know exactly how hard you’re hitting the ball, you know your timing. Having my own kit just felt a lot more comfortable and it showed.”

AUSSIE SLEDGING

The English up-and-comer said he was no stranger to sledging during his first Aussie stint as a foreign import for Easts Dolphins, outing Manly as the worst culprits.

“I haven’t (been sledged) this year but I definitely did last year,” he said. “Manly were the worst team about it. I got absolutely battered.

“They were like ‘you are a fraud’ and ‘County Cricket is pretty s***’.

“They are all so deluded it’s actually a joke but they actually believe it, that’s the scary thing.”

WHALES OVER DOLPHINS

The keeper-batsman said a “change of scenery” was a key reason behind his shift from Easts to Mosman, with the north shore-based club also ensuring he wouldn’t be out of pocket.

Cox behind the stumps. Picture: Jeremy Ng

His decision was ultimately between Randwick-Petersham and Mosman with the involvement of former Australian international Peter Forrest tipping it into the Whales favour.

“(Forrest) was so honest,” Cox said. “He was like, this is where I see you batting, this is what I see your role as and he gave me a proper description, like a job.”

The 21-year-old is expected to be selected as wicketkeeper following an injury to regular keeper Ashley Doolan.

The Englishman said his time at Mosman has also given him the chance to remind his new teammates of the unbeaten century he scored against them in last season’s final round.

T20 OR TEST CRICKET?

Despite his recent success in the short form of the game, Cox said he aspired to represent his country in the longer forms of the game.

The English prospect said Test Cricket was the goal. Picture: Jeremy Ng

“When I was a young, about 10 or 11, I wanted to play in the IPL and didn’t want to do anything else,” he said.

“These days, I want to play long format with obviously Test Cricket being the goal. I’ve always said to myself if I can play the swinging ball I can play the white ball.

“I’m so much more happy when you score red ball runs than white ball runs. I don’t want to give up red ball cricket any time soon.”

Originally published as Jordan Cox: English cricketer eyes BBL berth, NSW Premier Cricket