Foakes' Bazball admission speaks volumes as England give Bairstow Ashes backing

13 July 2023 , 07:22

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Foakes' Bazball admission speaks volumes as England give Bairstow Ashes backing

Ben Foakes admitted he "can’t do what a lot of these guys do" earlier this year, with the Surrey star now overlooked for the fourth Ashes Test next week.

The wicketkeeper batsman had been tipped to receive call-up as Jonny Bairstow continues to come under fire, but Brendon McCullum has kept faith with the Yorkshireman. England's Bazball style reaped rewards at Headingley as they kept the series alive.

They now head to Old Trafford looking to level the series and will continue to trust Bairstow behind the stumps despite some below-par displays while his performances with the bat haven't inspired confidence - the 33-year-old made just 17 in his two innings last time out.

Foakes though has confessed previously that he struggles to play the aggressive style which has become England's hallmark, a claim backed up by his modest strike rate. He said: “I can’t do what a lot of these guys do. If I did that from ball one, I’d just get out, so it doesn’t make sense for me to try.

"Quite a few of the games I’ve contributed in, have been more in the role of batting normally and in more pressurised situations, where you can’t lose a wicket.” Foakes added on his style: “I think steadying it among the carnage can work sometimes. [It’s still] playing with freedom, but doing it in a way you feel comfortable.”

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Foakes has underlined his quality behind the stumps this week, producing some magic for Surrey in their County Championship match against Nottinghamshire. Nevertheless he remains on the outskirts despite the likes of Sir Geoffrey Boycott calling for his inclusion.

He wrote in the Telegraph: "When Jonny is at his best he is a better plus for England than Ben Foakes. But at the moment he is dropping things and not moving properly. So sorry, take him out of the pressure cooker. He can come back later but he has got to get himself right. When he is picked ahead of Foakes, his keeping has to be safe and he has to score runs. He is not doing either."

England have named an unchanged squad for the test at Old Trafford, which means the likes of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes could continue in the bowling attack. That could leave James Anderson looking on at his home ground, but the legendary figure would be accepting if that was the case.

He said: "I know I am not guaranteed to play the next Test and I will completely understand if they want to stick with the winning team. The selection side is out of my hands. I just make sure that I am in a good place and ready to play."

Samuel Meade