England's new number three Cox says Kohli's advice will stay with him forever

England batter Jordan Cox has revealed that advice given to him by India superstar Virat Kohli will remain with him throughout his career. The 25-year-old Essex player will bat at number three for England against Pakistan in the Test starting Wednesday at Headingley, filling in for the injured Jacob Bethell.

Cox and Kohli were team-mates at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League. Cox joined the franchise for the first time this year as it defended its IPL title, though he did not play a match himself. Despite that, he built a close relationship with the former India captain.

The pair met in London before Cox made his Test debut in the second match against New Zealand at The Oval in June, when he was part of a heavily changed England side following a nightclub incident involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson. Cox scored 27 and 25 batting at number seven on debut, in a match England went on to lose.

Cox said Kohli's advice also helped him get through an earlier disappointment. In 2024 he had been set to deputise for Jamie Smith during a New Zealand series but broke his thumb in training and missed the entire series. Bethell took the opportunity instead and has since established himself in England's side across all three formats.

Following Stokes' retirement announcement in June, England parted ways with Test coach Brendon McCullum. His replacement, Stephen Fleming, will not start until winter, so interim coach Marcus Trescothick is leading the team this week, with Joe Root beginning his second spell as Test captain.

Surrey's Dan Lawrence has been recalled to bat at number six, and England are expected to field four frontline pace bowlers given rain forecast for Leeds. England have won just two of their last ten Tests against Pakistan, while the tourists have not won a series in England for 30 years.