Jordan Cox Set to Join Dubai Capitals After Lions Warm-Up, Eyes Test Future
Newly crowned PCA Men’s Player of the Year, Jordan Cox, is set to cut short his England Lions tour to Australia to take up a lucrative franchise deal with the Dubai Capitals in the upcoming ILT20, starting December 2.
Despite a standout domestic summer and recent international form, Cox missed out on a place in England’s 16-man squad for the Ashes. Instead, he will feature in the Lions’ only Ashes warm-up fixture, providing an opportunity to impress head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes before heading to the UAE.
“I won’t be at the Lions as long as people think,” Cox said at the PCA Awards. “It’s mainly to help the England boys get ready for the Test matches… when they don’t need me, they will flick me off to Dubai.”
The Dubai Capitals signed Cox as a replacement player ahead of the ILT20 auction, and he is believed to be among the league’s top earners with a contract worth approximately US$250,000. He is expected to depart before the Lions face Australia A in Brisbane on December 5.
Cox, who missed a potential Test debut last winter due to a thumb injury, is currently in New Zealand with England’s T20I squad, preparing for the first match of the series this Saturday. He recently struck his maiden international half-century against Ireland, capping a prolific summer with Essex and Oval Invincibles.
“There is some England stuff I'd love to be a part of,” Cox said. “My aim is to play Test cricket… Maybe [McCullum and Stokes] will see something different that they like – or not – and I’d like to show them in the flesh.”
Cox also expressed hope that his performances in red-ball cricket during the Lions stint could nudge him closer to a full England call-up.
“You always notice more outside of the nets: do they mingle well with the group? Are they polite, well-mannered? All that sort of stuff you need to be if you want to be an England player.”
Carse Confident After Injury Woes
Also in New Zealand is fast bowler Brydon Carse, who has overcome a troublesome toe injury that hampered his progress last winter. Carse revealed he has worked with his sponsors to develop custom-made boots to prevent further issues.
“They’ve started cutting holes into my boot for me… specifically made for me, which has been a massive help,” said Carse. “As long as they keep churning out pairs of boots, I’ll be happy.”
Carse spent two weeks preparing at Loughborough before flying out and reported positive updates on injured stars Ben Stokes and Mark Wood, both of whom are making strong recoveries.
“Ben is looking near enough 100% fit, and so is Mark. It’s exciting to see where they’ve got to after their setbacks.”
As England prepares for a busy winter across formats, the upcoming series and warm-up games could prove pivotal for players like Cox and Carse aiming to cement their places on the international stage.