Ahead of four-Test series in India, England wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes has on Sunday (January 31) heaped praise on his fellow gloveman Jos Buttler, saying that the latter is “one of the best going around in the world and it has been a privilege to watch him go about his business”.
He further pointed out how a specialist position like the wicket-keeper requires players to work together and pass on the experience to each other for the greater success of the team.
England is currently in India to play four Tests, five T20Is, and three ODIs with the tour starting with the first Test on February 5 in Chennai, and Foakes is expected to play the last three Tests as the specialist wicket-keeper with Buttler slated to return home following the first Test in Chennai.
Foakes said during a virtual press conference: “I have spent a lot of time in sub-continent conditions, I played in Sri Lanka a couple of years ago. I feel like I know the challenges that would be in store. Jos Buttler is one of the best going around, it has been a privilege to watch him go about his business.
I think at a specialist position like a keeper, you have to work together a bit and learn and pass on your experiences to help each other along. You want everyone to do well and succeed for England.”
He added, “It has an unusual position, I found it ten days ago that Jos would head back after the first Test, I earlier thought that I was in line to play the last two Tests, but it was about trying to get my head around training, so yeah one more Test potentially. It is about trying to prepare as well as I can.”
The 27-year-old, who last played Test in 2019 against West Indies but has been in the squad as a backup keeper, has admitted that he is unlikely to replace the first-choice wicketkeeper Buttler in Test cricket for England on a long-term basis but aims to make the most of each given opportunity.
Foakes further added, “Even though I haven't played, I have enjoyed. It has been great, obviously not playing is not ideal. Wicketkeeping is one of those jobs where you have to be at your guard at all times, you never know what happens at the end time. It is not the most fun place to be as a backup keeper but you have to expect something to happen at all times.”
He continued, “I would expect it's very much a case of Jos as the number one and I'm probably just in for these three games as a chance to stake my claim, to try and do as well as possible and enjoy playing for England. Because the strength of competition for the keepers is so high, there are going to be times when I'm not playing. That's something I just have to accept and be at peace with.
Jos has been amazing - he's obviously a world-class player and done so well that there hasn't been a look-in, which is fair enough. I guess you do have to accept you're not going to get a long run, potentially, unless you nail it in every game.”
On being asked whether a side should compromise on wicket-keeping skills by playing a better batsman, Foakes said: “I think you need a blend of both, obviously you can’t have someone who can’t keep or makes loads of mistakes with the gloves. At the same time, however good a keeper is, they have to contribute with the bat. I think it depends on a few things, it depends on the balance of the side too.”
On playing in India, the keeper said: “All the emotions, there is a lot of nerve and anticipation, playing in India would be fantastic, it is a fantastic place to play some cricket. They are so passionate about the game here, to get an opportunity here would be amazing.”
He signed off by saying, “I am really looking forward to it. I think I am looking at it how to do well and I am not thinking about anything outside of performing. I haven't had as much cricket as I would have liked in the last year and a half. I think it's time to get back into competitive cricket.”
(With ANI Inputs)
