WI v ENG 2019: I would understand if I was dropped for Antigua Test, says Ben Foakes

Ben Foakes is not thinking about his place in England's playing XI for the Antigua Test.

Foakes found it difficult to keep wicket in Caribbean conditions | Getty Images

With his poor outing in Barbados the uncertainty surrounding wicket-keeper Ben Foakes' place in the England Test side, but Foakes,  on Tuesday (January 29), insisted that he is not thinking about that and is only preparing for the Antigua Test, as thinking about the place could make him weak.

Foakes failed to make an impact in his third outing in the longest format of the game after impressive Sri Lanka debut series, as the right-hander managed to face only 13 and 8 balls in both innings before getting out for 2 and 5 in Barbados, where England was defeated by 381 runs.

Following his poor outing against the West Indies, Foakes might not get that opportunity in the second Test to be played in Antigua from 31st January, but the 25-year-old is not in the mood to think much about his place in the playing XI, though, he is also disappointed with his show.

Foakes told reporters, “It's a unique situation but it's fine, there's no awkwardness. I didn't think I'd be in Sri Lanka, then I thought I would have one game and then Jonny would be back. I don't want to say I feel lucky to be here, but things have fallen into place and it's just up to me to take the opportunity.”

On the uncertainty surrounding his place in the Test side, the Englishman said, “Those are things I don't think about. It will drive you crazy. I'm just preparing for the next game. If I get the nod, I get the nod. If not, then good luck to whoever does. I didn't perform last game, so I can't sit there and say 'Why did you drop me'. I did really well in Sri Lanka and I completely want to play the next game. But we lost by 300-odd runs and if a change is needed, a change is needed.”

Commenting on his show in Barbados, the wicket-keeper batsman has admitted that he is finding the Caribbean conditions tough to keep wicket in the first Test.

Foakes signed off by saying, “I find this a really tricky place to keep. There's a bit of uneven bounce, and it comes to you at different paces. There are some tricky outfields, too, with the ball bouncing in front of you. I was disappointed not to take that catch [off Stokes]. But as a fairly young keeper, it's about getting used to these conditions.”

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 29 Jan, 2019

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