Cobb undergoes knee surgery

Josh Cobb hopes to be fit for the Under-19 tour to South Africa in the new year

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Promising Leicestershire batsman Josh Cobb has been recalled from Australia for knee surgery as a precaution ahead of England Under-19's winter tour.

Cobb, 18, has suffered a minor cartilage tear in a spell playing cricket in Australia.

The middle-order batsman has spent time at the Darren Lehmann Academy in Adelaide, and scored a century in grade cricket for Tea Tree Gully CC.

He is due to join the U19s on their upcoming tour to South Africa, the first time he will represent England at age-group level.

Cobb, the son of former Leicestershire opener Russell, made a strong impression in his maiden season, scoring an unbeaten 148 in a partnership of 266 with HD Ackerman, to salvage a draw against Middlesex at Lord’s.

England are due to play five one-day internationals, two Twenty20 matches, and a one-off youth Test in Benoni from January 31.