Frustrating, but Buttler has done an amazing job: Ben Foakes on not playing

Tags: England tour of India 2021, England, India

Published on: Feb 12, 2021

Ben Foakes has a massive task on hand as he replaces Jos Buttler behind the stumps for the remaining three Tests against India. Having featured in the opening Test, Buttler has returned back home with England’s rotation policy very much in place. Despite making a century on debut in November 2018, Foakes last played a Test in early 2019. As he now returns to the Test fold, Foakes knows Buttler remains the first choice behind the stumps.

Speaking at a virtual press conference ahead of the second Test, Foakes admitted, "It has been frustrating [not playing]. But Jos has done such an amazing job over the last couple of years. It's one of those situations where it's very understandable.

"Not playing has been tricky. Obviously you want to be involved. You have your good days when you're training hard and you get the most out of it. But then it's tricky at times, as well. I think every competitor wants to play. So when you go a long period without, it is a challenge.”

On losing his place after an impressive start, Foakes added, "After my Test debut - with it going quite well [he scored a century, took a catch from his second delivery in the field and claimed a stumping, too] - I did think I'd get a bit longer run in the side. But international cricket is quite cut-throat and, after a couple of bad games, I was dropped. That's the way it is.

"Watching how well Jos has done recently and the level he's been performing, it is quite clear he is No. 1. So my mind-set has shifted a little bit. So every game and opportunity I get, I want to take it and kind of prove what I can do rather than looking too far ahead. It's about taking every day as it comes and trying to enjoy it."

Foakes further stated that though he tasted success in Sri Lanka, that was a while ago. So, he will have to start all over again. The youngster is keen on accepting the challenge. He added, "That [series in Sri Lanka] was more than two years ago. So it's not possible to see it as an extension of form. It was a fantastic time in my career, but this is a new challenge and I'm not really associating that performance with this.”

The second Test between India and England kicks off in Chennai on Saturday, February 13.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

Related News