Foakes keeping focused
BEN FOAKES believes he must remain totally focused on his fledgling Test career to stay ahead in what could be a fearsome wicketkeeping rivalry with Jonny Bairstow.
Foakes was called up as emergency cover when Bairstow twisted his ankle in Sri Lanka and went on to be named as man of the series for a debut hundred and being England’s top run-scorer.
He also showed just why Alec Stewart rates him as the best gloveman in the world with his silky skills in one of the most difficult countries in which to keep.
Bairstow has been left frustrated at losing the gloves after working so hard to get them and maintaining a very high standard over the past two years.
He has made it clear that he will be breathing down Foakes’ neck for another shot at the keeping job whenever possible but the Surrey man said: “My personality is such that I generally don’t look at other people.
“If Rooty wants me to play then I’ll try my best, but if he doesn’t then that is out of my control.
“There are a few of us keepers around and there is a bit of competition for places but that is fine. You just try to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
“It is such a tricky place to keep that you never have any rhythm. It isn’t like I’ve been able to relax into it. I’ve really had to work but it has been great fun.” Foakes will be England’s wicketkeeper in the Caribbean in the new year and he was full of praise for skipper Joe Root, who filled the team with a relentlessly positive message that worked wonders in a place where England had not won a series for 17 years. “He’s been awesome to play under and done a fantastic job,” said Foakes.