Essex batter Jordan Cox’s participation in England’s one-off test against Zimbabwe is uncertain after he suffered an injury while batting in the County Championship.

Jordan Cox’s hopes of making his England Test debut against Zimbabwe in May are now hanging in the balance after he sustained an injury while batting for Essex in the County Championship. The 24-year-old, named in the England squad for the Trent Bridge Test, was forced to retire hurt after reaching a century against Somerset on Saturday, clutching his left side in pain.

Cox had been in stellar form, scoring two centuries and accumulating nearly 400 runs in the Championship so far this season. He looked set to play a key role in the upcoming Test series, possibly as a backup batter in the top seven alongside the likes of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook. But this injury casts doubt on his participation, especially as England captain Ben Stokes continues his recovery from a hamstring issue.

Cox’s potential debut had already been delayed once after he broke his thumb in the nets during England’s winter tour to New Zealand. At that time, he was poised to replace Jamie Smith as wicketkeeper-batter, but the injury ruled him out. This latest setback could keep him out of the Zimbabwe Test, leaving a spot open for a possible replacement.

Essex’s impressive performance in the match against Somerset was overshadowed by Cox’s injury, with the batter unable to continue after a painful fall. As Cox sought medical attention, it became clear that his immediate future in England’s squad was uncertain.

If Cox is ruled out, selectors may look to other options, including Ben McKinney, a rising star from Durham, who had been linked with a potential call-up. McKinney, 20, has impressed with his recent form and could now be in line for a call-up to the squad for the Zimbabwe match.

Cox will be hoping that his injury is not serious, as a place in the Test squad is highly coveted. The one-off match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, running from May 22-25, will be a crucial opportunity for several players to cement their place in the team, particularly with a challenging summer ahead that includes five Tests against India and the Ashes tour in Australia later in the year.

The England squad for the Zimbabwe Test includes Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Josh Tongue. With Stokes’ hamstring recovery and Cox’s injury in question, the team may undergo further adjustments before the match.

The injury to Cox is another blow to his promising career, but it is not the first setback he has faced. Having battled through injuries in the past, he will be hoping for a swift recovery and a chance to fulfil his England ambitions.The Zimbabwe Test will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from May 22, and England will be keen to start their summer on a high note. After the Zimbabwe match, England will face India in a five-match series before heading to Australia for the Ashes.