Jordan Cox grins and bears it to help wrap up England’s T20 series in Ireland

3rd T20: England, 155-4, beat Ireland, 154-8, by 6 wkts

Cox hits first international fifty after being injured in field

Jordan Cox has been short on luck in his brief international career. A broken thumb denied him a Test debut against New Zealand last winter; an abdominal injury forced him out of the squad to face Zimbabwe at the start of this summer. And after England bowled first in the final Twenty20 international against Ireland, he jarred a knee while taking a catch in the deep, forcing him off the field and bringing into question what role he would play in the chase.

But a grimacing knock was also a welcome one: Cox struck his first international half-century in a successful chase of 155, securing England a comfy six-wicket victory and a 2-0 series win. As he came in at 33 for two, this was a useful test for the 24-year-old in an experimental middle order. Tom Banton showed calm, too, putting on 49 with Cox and remaining unbeaten on 36.