STINGERS & THUMBS FOR COX ACHLE

Wicketkeeper Jordan out of NZ series after injury in nets

- RORY DOLLARD

BRENDON MCCULLUM says he is "gutted" that Jordan Cox's dream debut has been wrecked by injury days before the first Test against New Zealand.

Cox had been earmarked for a Test debut in Christchurch on Wednesday night, filling the wicketkeeping vacancy left by Jamie Smith, who is back at home awaiting the birth of his first child.

But heartache struck for the 24-year-old when he was hit on the right glove while batting in warm-ups on the second morning of their two-day warm-up match in Queenstown.

Cox was sent for X-rays after the pain failed to settle and received the bad news that he had broken the thumb.

With no specialist back-up keeper in the squad, vice-captain Ollie Pope was called on to take the gloves for the second innings against the Prime Minister's XI and is likely to be pressed into action in the series opener.