Jordan Cox blasts unbeaten 184 as Essex take control at Leicestershire 2026

Jordan Cox scored an unbeaten 184 to power Essex to 342-5 on a rain-hit first day against Leicestershire.

England call-up fuels Cox's fire Jordan Cox marked his inclusion in England’s 15-man squad for the second Test against New Zealand with a commanding unbeaten 184, steering Essex past a shaky beginning to dominate the rain-interrupted opening day against Leicestershire. The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter reached his century in just 73 deliveries, striking 14 boundaries and two sixes before completing the milestone with his second maximum. This innings represented his 12th first-class hundred in 63 appearances and also pushed his career runs tally beyond 4,000. The performance arrived shortly after Cox was named in the England party following the omission of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson for disciplinary issues. ## Essex recover from early jitters Essex were inserted on a green-top at Uptonsteel Grace Road and found themselves at 8 for 2 before regrouping under overcast skies. A delayed start and a damp outfield wiped out the first session, but once the sun broke through the pitch showed fewer surprises than feared. Cox and captain Tom Westley put together 147 for the third wicket, a partnership that looked set to continue but ended when Westley top-edged a straight delivery from Rehan Ahmed to short mid-wicket for 41. That wicket briefly lifted Leicestershire, whose only other breakthroughs before tea had come in the first eight overs via Ben Green trapping Paul Walter lbw and then removing Dean Elgar for a golden duck. ## Critchley joins Cox in rampage After Cox and Westley were separated, Matt Critchley came to the crease and paired with the opener for 183 runs. Critchley fell 3 runs short of his second Championship hundred of the season when Joey Evison bowled him, finishing on 97 from 156 balls with 12 fours and a six. His stay at the wicket included a narrow escape when Rehan Ahmed fumbled a sharp caught-and-bowled chance early in his innings, while Cox later survived a dropped return catch at short extra cover when he had made 146. Leicestershire’s bowlers were repeatedly punished for wayward lengths and missed run-out opportunities. ## Leicestershire's late resistance Leicestershire managed just two wickets in the second half of the day, with Rehan Ahmed removing Jamie Porter late in the evening session. Their bowlers had already been under the cosh, conceding boundaries at will and failing to convert multiple half-chances. The hosts finished the day on 342 for 5 from 75 overs, leaving them in a strong position after the early setbacks. The pitch’s true bounce and pace became more evident as the sun dried the surface, making life difficult for the bowlers and setting up a commanding Essex total.