James Foster set to retire from professional cricket

Full-time coaching is on the cards for James Foster.

 James Foster will retire from professional cricket this season | Getty Images

James Foster, former England wicketkeeper-batsman, has announced on Friday (September 14) that he will retire from professional cricket at the end of ongoing English domestic season.

Essex’s decision to not renew his contract and choose Adam Wheather over the keeper has forced Foster to take the decision. It is learned that Foster, as fit as ever even at 38, is disappointed that his home county denied to give him one last contract and decided to offer the gloves to Wheater and the emerging Michael Pepper for the next season.

Foster, who is the last great keeper of the post-Adam Gilchrist era, represented England in seven Tests, 11 One Day Internationals and five T20Is from 2000 - 2009. The talented Englishman has a truckload of experience in the domestic circuit, as his illustrious career has spanned a significant 18 years.

Following the retirement, Foster would be certainly take up full-time coaching role, as he is already in high demand as coach, having co-opted onto the England staff for the final Test at the Oval against India, as well as, worked as assistant coach of the Vancouver Knights in the Canada Global T20 League.

Meanwhile, Cricbuzz has reported that Foster, who has also worked with the Lions, West Indies and Pakistan sides over the last 12 months apart from England, was approached for the role of Pakistan’s fielding coach.

It is also learned that the retiring keeper is also in line to join the Sydney Thunder for the next Big Bash League and will be coaching the Afghanistan Boost Defenders in the Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy.

Noteworthy, Foster has played 289 First-Class, 223 List A and 179 T20s for his Essex and has amassed 13,761, 3357 and 2158 runs respectively. He has 1164 catches and 174 stumpings to his name.

 

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 14 Sep, 2018

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