A Jordan Cox maiden Test half-century has helped push England into the lead on day two of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Cox, promoted to No. 3 for the series, reached fifty in the afternoon session on Thursday and was joined in the milestones by his captain, with BBC Sport reporting back-to-back half-centuries for Cox and Joe Root.
Jordan Cox Maiden Test Half-Century Answers The No. 3 Question
England had resumed on 112 for 2, trailing Pakistan’s 171 by 59, with Root 37 not out and Cox unbeaten on 23 after Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took five wickets each on the opening day, ESPNcricinfo reported. The pair extended that stand through a rain-interrupted morning until both had passed fifty.
By the 50th over England were 224 for 4, a first-innings lead of 53, with Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence at the crease on 11 apiece, according to the Guardian’s live coverage from Leeds. Both fifty-makers had been dismissed by that point.
The innings vindicates a selection call that carried real risk. Cox was handed the No. 3 slot for this series without a Test fifty to his name – a decision we examined when it was made, in Jordan Cox’s England No. 3 call. BBC Sport billed the knock “brilliant” in its highlights package.
It is also a first substantial reward for Root’s reinstated captaincy, after Robinson and Tongue had already given him a near-perfect opening day. Play continues at Headingley, with England batting and a first-innings advantage to build on.
