• Wicketkeeper suffers blow to hand batting in nets
• Ollie Pope provides back-up behind the stumps

England were sweating on the fitness of Jordan Cox for Thursday’s first Test against New Zealand after the wicketkeeper suffered a blow to his hand before the final day of their solitary warm-up match in Queenstown.

Cox, 24, had been due to make his Test debut behind the stumps at Hagley Oval in Christchurch with Jamie Smith, the regular gloveman, missing the tour for paternity leave. But the prospect of his first Test cap will now hinge on the severity of an injury to his right hand that was sustained while batting in the nets on Sunday.