Worcestershire Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes is delighted at Ben Cox's selection for the current MCC-Middlesex clash in Abu Dhabi – and believes he is the sort of cricketer who would thrive in the England Lions set-up.
Wicket-keeper Cox – and County team-mate Joe Clarke – scored 40 and 89 respectively on day one of the fixture.
Whilst Clarke is already established with the Lions, Rhodes believes the four-day game is an ideal opportunity for Cox to stake his claims.
Rhodes said: "I'm always proud for Joe. In his young career so far, he has been part of the Lions set-up for quite a while so it was no surprise for him to get picked for the North-South and then the MCC.
"But I'm particularly pleased for Ben because he has not had a taste of things like that.
"All the supporters and members here who have seen Ben play, know he is a terrific cricketer with a bright future.
"He is now a very important and respected member of our dressing room. He has been around quite a while now and he is only a young man.
"His batting, he is a very dangerous player, and his wicket-keeping, we all see the dismissals he makes and consistency he shows, and he thoroughly deserved that call-up.
"I'd love him to score runs against Middlesex and keep very well and obviously be in the limelight for potential other honours like England Lions.
"I think he is the type of cricketer who would thrive in that environment and to get him and Joe, and a few more if we could, more involved with the England set-up would be fantastic."
