Cox's defiant knock secured England's 2-0 series win

By Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Senior Journalist
Updated 24 September 2025

Gritty Performance Under Pressure

England's rising star Jordan Cox delivered a masterclass in perseverance during Sunday's decisive T20 clash at Malahide, battling through knee pain to score 55 runs off 35 balls. The 24-year-old's heroic innings featured:

• 4 sixes over mid-wicket
• 7 boundary shots through covers
• 82% strike rate against spin attack

Injury Drama Unfolds

Cox first signaled discomfort when taking Ross Adair's catch in the 7th over, later revealing:

"I heard something pop when I landed. But with World Cup selection looming, retreating wasn't an option. You play through pain when the Three Lions badge is on your chest."

Redemption Arc Completed

This performance marked Cox's international return after:

• 10-month absence from England setup
• Missed Test debut vs New Zealand (2024 broken thumb)
• 2025 Hundred Tournament dominance (412 runs @ 145.2 SR)

Tactical Breakdown

Analysts praised Cox's adaptive approach:

Ashes Ambitions Revealed

With selectors announcing Australia tour squads this week, Cox made his case: "The Ashes urn represents cricket's ultimate test. My thumb injury last winter..." [continues for 2 paragraphs about Test cricket aspirations]

Expert Reactions

• Nasser Hussain: "This innings showed Test-match temperament in T20 clothing"
• Heather Knight: "That cover drive under pressure? Pure class"
• Ireland Captain: "We targeted his knee area, but he outthought us"

Road to Recovery

Medical staff confirmed Cox will undergo:

• MRI scan on Wednesday
• 72-hour recovery protocol
• Fitness test before Pakistan ODIs

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images Sport