Foakes hopes for spinning tracks
When Ben Foakes made a sensational Test debut by scoring a century and winning the man of the series award against Sri Lanka in November 2018, he was expected to get a longer run in the England team. But the wicket-keeper batsman played just four more matches before he was dropped following a lacklustre West Indies tour in 2019. Since then, as the understudy of Jos Buttler, Foakes has hopped from one bio-bubble to another, hoping to get another opportunity.
The 27-year-old’s two-year wait will finally end when England take on India in the second Test that begins here on Saturday. It’s an enforced change as England’s No.1 keeper Buttler has flown home as part of their rotation policy.
Foakes said he would love to have the same kind of impact he had in his debut series. “Of course, it was frustrating to sit out for a while. Over the last two years, I haven’t played as much as I would have liked to. So, I am just trying to put myself in a good position. Hopefully, I will be able to contribute,” said Foakes.
Having lost their first home Test since February 2017, India will be eager to hit back. With India 0-1 down, Foakes expects a spinning track for the second Test. “Obviously, it’s an avenue that India would like to go down. Actually, I found it quite tricky to read the wicket. The pitch looks different to the last one — a darker soil. I think it might play a bit low and slow. The previous pitch played really well for about three days. I think there is a potential that it will spin earlier. But we will wait to see what happens on the opening day,” said Foakes.
With a ringside view, wicket-keeper plays a key role in taking the DRS reviews. Foakes said DRS calls are going to be really challenging on turning wickets. “I think on turning wickets, the keeper comes into the game with such a good view. One of those things I haven’t done too much. I think I did alright in Sri Lanka in 2018. One of those things I am not quite experienced and you try in the nets and have a look while standing back and get more experienced,” further added Foakes.