England’s new No 3 Jordan Cox has revealed how Indian legend Virat Kohli helped him deal with the disappointment of missing out on a Test debut two years ago because of injury.

The 25-year-old Cox, who has been told to ‘go out there and have fun’ in Wednesday’s first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, feared he might never get another chance at the highest level after breaking his thumb shortly before the first Test against New Zealand at Christchurch in November 2024.

‘It felt like that was the end, as bad as that sounds,’ Cox told the BBC. ‘I remember talking to Virat about it. He said: “There are billions of people who don’t even know who I am. The sun will come up in the morning.”

Cox, who has been part of Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad in the IPL, said he spoke again to the former India captain before his debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June, when he made 27 and 25 from No 7.

‘He was just saying: “Enjoy the moment. You only get one debut. Just enjoy it and have fun,”’ said Cox. ‘He’s someone I’ve looked up to and I’ve managed to spend what felt like four months in India. He’s someone I’ll text if I’m ever feeling down or need a bit of help. He’s always at the end of the phone.’

Jordan Cox has never batted at No3 before but will take the key position against Pakistan

 His selection for the first two Tests against Pakistan came about because of Jacob Bethell’s knee injury, lending a circular feel to recall – when Cox missed out in Christchurch, it was Bethell who made his debut at No 3 instead.

‘That’s professional sport, isn’t it?’ he said. ‘I missed out on my debut two years ago and Jacob’s done incredibly well. He now gets injured and hopefully I do incredibly well.’

News of his call-up was broken on the phone during the Hundred by Marcus North, the new national selector, who told him: ‘I’m going to give you clarity: you’re going to bat three for the two Test matches. Basically, go out there, have fun, do what you’ve been doing, don’t change the way you’ve been playing in county cricket.’

Cox, who has averaged 68 in first-class cricket for Essex since leaving his native Kent after the 2023 season, does have experience against the new ball, having opened 30 times for his first county. But he isn’t about to sweat the details.

‘If England ask you to bat one to 11, I would say “yes”. Seven was great fun, the ball was a bit older, and I got to bat with Joe Root, which was pretty cool. 

‘If England call you and go “You’re batting anywhere,” you go: “Absolutely, I’ll do my best to go and win a Test match.”’