Stuart Broad

Jordan Cox’s 73 in only his second Test, made while replacing the injured Jacob Bethell at No 3, has prompted Stuart Broad to suggest he could eventually challenge Jamie Smith for England’s wicketkeeper-batter role. Cox impressed in England’s dominant first-Test position against Pakistan at Headingley, although Bethell is expected to return when fit. Broad also said Dan Lawrence’s batting half-century gives him an opportunity at No 6, but that he must contribute more wickets if he is to help solve England’s all-rounder and bowling-balance concerns ahead of South Africa and the Ashes.

England’s heavy ODI defeat to India underscored a lack of pace depth, leading Stuart Broad to call for immediate trials of an additional seamer ahead of next year’s World Cup. With Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue carrying much of the workload and India’s batting exposing England’s middle-overs weakness, Broad argues that England must identify a fast bowler capable of supporting the attack in conditions expected in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. He suggests Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson or Saqib Mahmood as candidates while noting strong performances from Joe Root and Liam Dawson in England’s loss and Shubman Gill’s match-defining innings for India.