Foakes ready for battle with Bairstow
Ben Foakes is not allowing the prospect of Jonny Bairstow’s return to unsettle him as he continues to make his case as England’s safe pair of hands.
After racking up a 10th Test win from 11 in last week’s day/ night clash against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, the only real headaches captain Ben Stokes has involve deciding who makes the cut when everybody is fit and available.
The bowling stocks are already fit to bursting as the Ashes hovers into view, with the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes all vying to join the current squad.
Bairstow is effectively guaranteed a place when he recovers from the badly broken leg he suffered at the end of a career-best summer in 2022, but his comeback is unlikely to come at the expense of Harry Brook, who has been a revelation since stepping in at number five.
One route back for Bairstow would see him revert to wicketkeeping – as he has done in 49 of his 89 England caps – with Foakes as collateral damage.
And while Stokes would be reluctant to leave out someone he has repeatedly labelled the best gloveman in the world, Foakes sat out twice in Pakistan before Christmas to help balance the side. Foakes is aware of the debate, but has little interest in second-guessing the outcome.
“Naturally you’re going to think about things but at the stage I’m at there’s no point stressing over it,” he said as England arrived in Wellington for Friday’s decisive second Test.
“I’m having some good form in my career and I’m just trying to enjoy that rather than stressing about what else might happen.
“In international cricket you will always go through certain phases. There have been so many times in my career when I’ve thought ‘oh that’s going to happen, that’s going to happen’ and it never has so there’s no point in worrying about it.”
Meanwhile, England posted the highest total in Women’s T20 World Cup history, smashing 213-5 in a 114-run win over Pakistan. Nat SciverBrunt made 81 not out from 40 balls. England have topped their group and will avoid Australia in the semi-finals.