‘I’d love one long run In the test side’
BEN FOAKES hopes he has persuaded England’s bosses he should keep thetest gloves this summer.
However, the Surrey star admits he is resigned to another major tug-of-war with Jonny Bairstow over the right to stand behind the stumps.
Foakes’ excellent display on the recent tour to India built on the claim by Ben Stokes and others that he is not just his country’s top wicketkeeper but arguably the best in the world.
Yet, he knows from past frustrations that the axe could be just around the corner having yo-yoed from the team with the selectors often preferring the superior batting skills of Bairstow further up the order.
Foakes, 31, who many feel should have won more than 25 caps over the past five-and-a-half years, was unable to back up his keeping with plenty of runs in India.
He managed just 205 with the bat from 10 innings, not exactly setting the scoreboard alight in the now Bazball-ified version of Test cricket.
And, with England facing two three-test home campaigns againstwest Indies and Sri Lanka this summer, Foakes admits: “The more years I’ve gone through my career the more I’ve been in and out.
“It’s become an acceptance that will be the case.
“I try not to worry or stress about it... I just try and get a long run.
“The more times you are dropped the more times you wonder how long you have left.
“So rather than worry about it being my last game I just wanted to try and enjoy the India series.
“I felt good out there. I didn’t start amazingly with the bat but I began to get some rhythm.
“I was disappointed, I really should have kicked on with a couple of the innings.”
Foakes admits batting down at seven for England while remaining up at No.5 for Surrey has been a hard adjustment for him to make on the international scene – and that he is still learning how best to play there.
He would rather perform the same role for England given the chance.
He added: “I am still trying to get used to the role of batting with the tail and evolve there.
“That role batting lower down with the tail means I have to look at how I can impact things there.
“You may not get an opportunity to go big but it is crucial when you do get a chance to kick on.
“Batting higher up is preferable for me.when you play for England that is not always going to happen.
“I’ve not thought about moving lower with Surrey because I’ve been in and out of the Test side.
“But it’s generally been about me getting runs to force my way back into the Test side.
“I’ve been successful here at five for a long time and all my focus was to bat and bat and try and get big scores.
“You never know where the future lies with England.will you get picked?what position will you bat? It’s about scoring big for Surrey.”
Foakes insists he may need to have some time off and miss out on the odd game in the opening block of seven due to his busy winter.
But he is eager to start well when the county season sparks into life on Friday and to make mentor and England legend Alec Stewart’s final season at Surrey a memorable one.
Surrey start their campaign up in Manchester with a clash against Lancashire before returning to The Oval the following week.
Former Test opening batsman and keeper Stewart has been pivotal in moulding Foakes’ career so far.and the England man said: “He will be massively missed and it’s a huge blow for us.
“Stewy signed me and has invested a lot of time in me, working with me everyday.
“I was thinking about who has done more for English cricket after a playing career, and I couldn’t think of anyone.
“He has definitely earned his break and to switch off.
“The amount he has given the group means it would be the icing on the cake if we can send him off with another title.”