From Lisbon to Sri Lanka it has been a remarkable few weeks for Ben Foakes, who rescued England on his first day as a Test cricketer; they have been brimful of surprises, nearly all of them pleasant. “I had just come back from a lads’ week in Lisbon [with some of his Surrey colleagues] when Ed Smith rang to tell me I was coming here,” said Foakes after composing a polished unbeaten 87 on the first day of the Test in Galle.
“In Lisbon I’d heard about Jonny Bairstow’s ankle but the call from Ed took me by surprise. After a few years of Lions I was planning a winter off to clear my head. I felt beautiful about that. So I arrived here fresh.” Upon arrival in Colombo he did not, however, anticipate playing in the first Test. The assumption was that Jos Buttler would take over the keeping duties.
But on Monday Joe Root told him he was playing. “I was quite shocked,” said Foakes. “It was a lovely surprise and a proud moment. It was just an amazing day. You don’t know what to expect. It feels a little bit surreal at the moment. I’m sure when I see family and stuff it will sink in. My brother and my mum booked flights yesterday and are on their way over. I didn’t think I would be playing and nor did they.”
On Tuesday as the forecast rain magically drifted elsewhere Foakes drew upon his considerable experience of cricket in Sri Lanka with England Under-19s, the Lions and the local Colts side, where he played alongside Dilruwan Perera and Akila Dananjaya.
He was not intimidated by the conditions and he was not going to be critical of those above him in the order. England were 113 for five at lunch and Foakes’ generous take on that was that “the wicket was tacky then. It could have been worse if we had not been so aggressive in the morning. But my game plan is to find the gaps”. Which is what he did expertly through the afternoon and evening sessions.
This was a vital innings in the context of this match and the longer-term future of the England side. Such an accomplished performance under pressure has reinvigorated the debate about how England deploy their all-rounders.
Foakes’ pedigree as a keeper has never been in doubt. Now in Galle he has given the impression that he is comfortable with the added demands of Test cricket. Assuming he keeps to his usual standard, the case for him to keep possession of his place and the gloves in Kandy and beyond is very strong.
Where would this leave Buttler and Bairstow, who at the end of play was the first man to meet Foakes at the boundary rope for a fist bump? They would revert to being specialist batsmen. So if Bairstow is fit for the second Test the selectorial conundrums resume. Unwittingly in two sessions Foakes has added to the creative tension. And that’s a good thing.
