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Essex batter Jordan Cox will not play any further part in his side's County Championship game against Surrey following appendix surgery.

The 23-year-old, who was signed from Kent on a three-year contract last summer, experienced stomach problems during the opening day's play at The Oval.

He was taken to hospital and an operation was performed on Sunday evening.

Cox is Essex's leading run-scorer in the Championship this season with 763 runs, including three centuries, and has also made 205 across eight T20 Blast games.

Head coach Anthony McGrath said Cox could be out for up to four weeks, and Essex are not allowed to bring a replacement into the team at The Oval, as they are only permitted for concussion-related injuries.

"We're just all disappointed for Jordan because we just thought it was some kind of bug which has been going around the camp," McGrath told ����ý Essex.

"Obviously it was a bit more serious and fortunately we got him to hospital and the test showed us that he needed his appendix out so we're just thankful for that because it could have been worse if he'd have stayed at the ground.

"In terms of how the squad reacts, you obviously can't plan for anything like that but you just don't make excuses, you get on with it. We all said we want to do it for Jordan and that's what the lads continue to do."

Following the match against Division One leaders Surrey, the Championship will again be on hiatus until August because of the T20 Blast, One-Day Cup and The Hundred.