Broad sounds alarm for Jamie Smith as Jordan Cox stakes England wicketkeeping claim

A new wicketkeeping storyline is gripping England's Test summer, and it comes with the backing of one of the country's all-time greats. Stuart Broad has heaped praise on Jordan Cox after the Essex batter's eye-catching 73 from just 100 deliveries in the first Test against Pakistan, with the former England fast bowler suggesting that Cox could yet emerge as the national side's next long-term man behind the stumps — a role currently held by Jamie Smith. It was an innings that caught the eye of everyone watching. Cox mixed composure with aggression, scoring at better than a run-a-ball pace against a Pakistan attack that had come into the series with plenty of belief. For a player still establishing himself at the highest level, the manner of the knock — confident, unhurried and full of clean striking — sent a message about his temperament as much as his talent. Broad, never shy of championing the next generation, believes performances like this could reshape England's selection thinking. While Smith has made a strong start to his own international career and remains a key figure in the dressing room, the emergence of Cox gives the selectors a genuinely difficult conversation. In modern Test cricket, a wicketkeeper is expected to contribute heavily with the bat, and England now find themselves in the rare position of having two young players capable of doing exactly that. The Cox-versus-Smith debate mirrors the classic all-rounder conversations that have long defined English cricket — when a team is blessed with two players for one position, the competition itself raises standards. Broad's public endorsement of Cox adds weight to the argument that the Essex man is not merely a back-up option, but a genuine contender for the role on a full-time basis. For Cox, the 73 against Pakistan represents more than just a useful contribution to the team's total. It was a statement innings — the kind of performance that lingers in selectors' minds when squads are being drawn up months down the line. Essex have long championed his qualities, and now the wider cricketing world is beginning to see why. For Smith, the challenge is clear: respond with runs and glove-work of his own. Few positions in sport are as scrutinised as the wicketkeeper's slot in an England side, and history shows that incumbents are never more than a few quiet matches away from pressure mounting. England's depth in this area should ultimately be celebrated. Whether it is Smith, Cox, or a rotating battle between the two that pushes both to new heights, the national team stands to benefit. As Broad's comments make clear, the race to be England's wicketkeeper of the future is officially on — and cricket fans should settle in for a fascinating contest. This article is based on reporting originally published by Sky Sports.