Essex sign Jordan Cox from Kent on three-year deal

Essex have announced the signing of wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox from Kent on a three-year deal from the start of the 2024 season.

Cox, 22, made his Kent debut in April 2019 against a touring Pakistan side and after consistent performances with bat in hand, earned a call-up to the England Under-19 squad for matches against India and Bangladesh.

He memorably hit an unbeaten 238 in 2020, when, alongside Jack Leaning, he participated in Kent’s highest partnership of all time, putting on 423 for the second wicket against Sussex.

In his four seasons with Kent so far, Cox has totalled over 4,000 runs across all formats and boasts four first-class centuries to his name, alongside a T20 strike rate of almost 140.

The right-hander received full international recognition in September last year when he was named among the 21-strong England squad that toured Pakistan for seven T20Is.

“It’s a real honour to sign for Essex, the county where I went to school and where I first developed as a cricketer,” he said.

“The team is full of talent, they are going places, and I can only see the group getting better over the coming seasons. I’m excited to join them and contribute to what I hope will be a successful future.”

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath added: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure the signing of Jordan, who is a young, hungry cricketer looking to impress in all formats.

“He will add real depth and quality to our batting line-up, as well as strengthening our wicket-keeping ranks too, and we are all very much looking forward to working with him.”