Surrey’s Ben Foakes is hoping his latest call-up to the England Test team leads to a consistent run of appearances for the national side.
The 28-year-old has eight Test appearances since his debut in November 2018, 40 months ago, often deputising for Jos Buttler.
Sporadic selections so far in the five-day format has still produced some incredible highs, including a century on debut in Sri Lanka, but now with England making some changes following the recent Ashes series, Foakes spots an opportunity to cement his place in the team.
Speaking to Mark Church, he said: “I’m obviously delighted. I had a bit of time over the winter with the Lions and found it really useful so to be back in the Test squad going to the West Indies, I couldn’t be happier.”
“It’s not easy [being left out]. Two or three years ago I found it really challenging. Mentally more than anything, knowing where you are and what you’re trying to train and play for.
“With those India Tests [in 2021] when I came in having not played in five and half months or even keeping in a net, you’re trying to find your feet in quite a difficult environment. It is definitely challenging but given my situation it is just something I’ve had to try and deal with.
“My goal is just to break it down into each game I play and do my processes that I always have done to be successful. If you get a run it means you’ve done alright and you get to nestle into a bit of rhythm, which would be great.”
LISTEN IN FULL TO BEN FOAKES’ INTERVIEW BELOW.
If things had been different last summer, Foakes may already be the undisputed number one with the gloves.
A slip in the changing rooms of The Kia Oval after his final LV= County Championship match for Surrey before heading off for England duty resulted in a torn hamstring and immediately ended his international summer.
A return in the final domestic match of the season was enough to get him on the plane to Australia this winter, although with the Lions and not the senior squad.
“Timing wise last year’s injury couldn’t have been worse,” said Foakes.
“It was such a freak accident and having not played at home before I was really looking forward to playing a Test at Lord’s so I was gutted. When something like that happens you go through so many emotions; how bad is it? Am I going to be able to get back to where I was? You also feel guilty because you’re not able to help your teammates out.”
Now he’s back where he belongs and training hard ahead of flying out to the West Indies later this month.
A short clip of Foakes in training at The Kia Oval drew plaudits from across the game last week; the wicket keeper taking catches just a few yards from a machine hurling balls at great pace with the addition of a deflection.
⚡ That’s quick!
Not to be tried at home unless you have reactions like Foakesy. pic.twitter.com/pT8t192Btl
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) February 1, 2022
There has been considerable change at the Club, with Head Coach Vikram Solanki and Assistant Coach Richard Johnson leaving and being replaced by Surrey stalwart Gareth Batty, former player Azhar Mahmood and ex-county pro Jim Troughton. Foakes is enjoying working under the new structure so far.
“Vik did such a good job as Head Coach getting the team together and making us a united group. Gaz [Batty] is very much like that so the energy that he’s already brought in the week he’s been in charge is pretty infectious. There’s a really good buzz around the place at the moment.”
LISTEN IN FULL TO BEN FOAKES’ INTERVIEW BELOW.
The best way to see Foakes and his Surrey teammates in action during the 2022 season is with a Club Membership, priced at £20 for U16s and from £71 for adults.
