Foakes insists slow and steady can win the race

THE MODERN day wicket-keeper batsman is typically hard-hitting and free-flowing – but Surrey’s Ben Foakes insists his slow and steady style can take him to the very top.

Alec Stewart declared Foakes the ‘best keeper in the country’ after a season that saw him take 65 catches – including a number of grabs that did the rounds on Twitter – and six stumpings.

Kumar Sangakkara was similarly lavish with his praise after playing side by side with the 23year-old at Surrey, though the Foakes appreciation club is not just enamoured by his keeping.

He averaged more than 40 in both the County Championship and One-Day Cup last season to put pressure on current England gloveman Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler.

What Bairstow and Buttler lack behind the stumps they make up for with tenacious batting however – Foakes scored 759 County Championship runs in 2016 at a strike-rate of 44.57, which may be out of sync with an aggressive England line-up.

But Foakes, who joined Surrey from Essex in 2014, says the worst thing he could do for his career is try and match Bairstow and Buttler blow for blow.

“Bairstow is a genius and so I have would have to improve significantly,” he said.“But that is what we are all trying to do and if that is not good enough and someone is better than you, you have to accept it. I now know I have to stay disciplined and play to my strengths, and that is what I tried to do at Essex.

“I am more of a Cook-style batsman, obviously in the middle order. If you bowl badly to him, he will get runs.

“I would rather play that way because I know I can do it consistently. I definitely have a game plan whereas before I did not.

“I used to drive, nick off and walk back and say ‘everyone nicks off don’t they?’ whereas now I know my game better.”

Foakes is targeting a strong Lions showing in the UAE to boost his early county form next season – and a strong start that could turn Surrey into title contenders.

“When you look at the table and see you have contributed some points it is a big thing for me and I think at Surrey we need to start better,” he said.

“We have got some awesome seamers and spinners but we need to find a way to win those early games and be in a position where we can challenge.”

TCP There’s no VERDICT doubt that Ben Foakes possesses supreme talent, with the gloves at least. That he doesn’t have the highest of strike-rates should not hold him back. Adam Gilchrist changed the role a keeper/batsman plays but an impressive Lions tour for Foakes could see him pushing for the senior team