FOSTER RETIRES

An era of pure wicketkeeping comes to an end today when James Foster is forced into retirement by news that Essex will not renew his contract. Foster was the last great gloveman in the post-Adam Gilchrist era, when keepers have to be batsmen first, but will now turn his attention to coaching. The 38-year-old, who is as fit as ever, is believed to be disappointed his home county are not giving him one last deal. But he is already in demand as a coach and was co-opted on to the England staff for this week’s final Test at the Oval where, among other things, he described himself as Alastair Cook’s ‘bodyguard’ on the Tube to the ground. Foster was one of the great unfulfilled talents, playing just seven Tests. A broken arm cost him the England gloves in 2002 and he only got them back briefly, for the 2009 World Twenty20.