Cox to keep wicket in second innings after Smith injures finger
Jamie Smith made 69 despite his injured finger • Philip Brown/Getty Images
Smith picked up the injury while keeping wicket during Pakistan's first innings on day one while standing up to the stumps. He wore a blow trying to collect a leg-side delivery from Ollie Robinson immediately after lunch, and called on the physiotherapist for further strapping shortly after.
Smith subsequently had a stint placed on his finger and retained his position at No. 7 in the batting order as England resumed day two on 156 for 4 in their first innings. He showed no signs of discomfort when he came to the middle upon the fall of Harry Brook at 229 for 5, striking 69 off 84, a knock which included the first six of the match when launching Saim Ayub's spin back down the ground.
Smith was eventually dismissed caught and bowled by Razaullah, before England were finally bowled out for 453 with a healthy lead of 320.
Cox, assuming the gloves upon the start of Pakistan's second innings after tea, is a handy wicketkeeper, and has been practicing regularly with assistant coach Sarah Taylor this series in the lead-up to matches. He has only fulfilled the role in eight first-class matches, six for Kent and two for his current team, Essex.
Cox's shift to keeper led to a reshuffle in the cordon, with Ben Duckett taking his place at gully from first slip, which England skipper Joe Root filled for the start of Pakistan's second innings. Root had departed the cordon for this series, stationing himself at mid-off for better communication with his bowlers at the start of his second stint as Test captain.
England say Smith will be further assessed after the Test. He was not selected in either T20I or ODI squads for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka which begins on Tuesday, but his county, Surrey, had hoped he might be allowed to play in their final two County Championship fixtures as they battle to stay in Division One.
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