Jamie Smith opts for paternity leave, Jordan Cox is appointed as a replacement

England will tour New Zealand for the three-match Test series, scheduled to begin on November 28. Ahead of the series, England will be without the services of Jamie Smith as the wicketkeeper-batsman requests paternity leave. With this development, Jordan Cox, who has been the reserve batsman for England in the last five Tests, will play for the team in December.

Smith and his partner will give birth in December and the occasion could clash with the second or third Test against New Zealand. The 24-year-old is currently in Pakistan wearing gloves for the team. The batsman expressed his desire to be present at the momentous occasion and the sentiment was supported by England head coach Brendon McCullum.

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“Being present at the birth of my son is something I don’t want to miss. It will be a memory I treasure more than any other in cricket anyway. If I lost my place because of this, then so be it,” Smith said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“It’s life, right? People have children and we wish them all the best for being there and supporting their partners. At this stage it looks like Jamie will probably play the first (New Zealand Test) and miss the next two.” “We're not entirely sure – it's a little bit up to Mother Nature – but we know we Jordan “Having Cox in the squad here,” McCullum added.

Talking about Cox, he made his international debut in the England T20I series against him Australia last month. He is expected to join the England squad for the upcoming white-ball tour to the Caribbean. It is worth noting that the 23-year-old broke his finger in The Hundred 2024 and was subsequently unable to keep wicket for Essex.

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