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Cox was due to keep wicket in place of regular gloveman Jamie Smith, who has missed the tour on paternity leave.

Although he didn't update that record in Christchurch on Friday, 77 on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand following a blemish-free 91 overs as the fill-in gloveman was a reminder of Pope's value.

Short of catching bullets in his teeth, there is very little Smith can do to persuade those who believe Ben Foakes should still be in the England team as the best pure gloveman in the country.

Surrey keeper Smith, 24, has won eight Test caps since being promoted to England’s first-choice gloveman at the beginning of the home summer.

Foakes is a super gloveman, but without the range of shots a number seven so often needs to shepherd the tail.