In cricket, the players who hit boundaries and bowlers who make stumps turn over are frequently the center of attention. Ben Foakes, England’s wicketkeeper, is quietly establishing himself with his deft hands in the midst of all the action.
Alec Stewart, a former England wicketkeeper who is well-versed in glove work, has given Foakes great praise. In the current Test series against India, Foakes has shown off his remarkable wicketkeeping abilities despite the daunting conditions faced by international keepers. He has claimed six catches and made two stumpings.
“He accomplishes feats that no one else can. His dexterity is unparalleled.
Stewart told The Times, “MS Dhoni has quick hands, but Ben Foakes has the quickest hands in the game and the ball stays in them.
Stewart, who is currently Surrey’s director of cricket, disclosed the extensive training that Foakes had before the India tour. Stewart highlighted the meticulous nature and strong work ethic of Ben Foakes while describing the demanding sessions that took place between Christmas and New Year’s.
“While Fakes possesses a great deal of natural talent, his work ethic and attention to detail are among the best I’ve seen, both in my playing career and after taking on this role. He doesn’t miss a single detail. He works meticulously, and the caliber of his output is remarkable. He anticipated there would be a lot of spin bowling, so he focused 80 percent of his training on his standing-up strokes, which he is already quite good at: bouncing, twisting, and keeping the ball low. That is the reason I was so happy for him to receive some of the catches he took as payment for all the hours he put in.”
We would talk about where his hands are, how high he can get, and how his feet are positioned. He takes the lead. We used the Merlin spin machine, which produces both spinning and bouncing mats. We also used mats with holes cut into them. We can do it from ten or eleven yards, or from 22 yards. Since he joined us (in 2014 from Essex), we’ve worked on the things he knows he wants to work on,” he continued.
Alec Stewart says people shouldn’t undervalue his batting.
Foakes’ skill isn’t limited to his glove work; in Hyderabad, he contributed greatly with the bat, forming an important sixth-wicket combination with Ollie Pope. Stewart used Foakes’ almost 40-average in first-class cricket as evidence that his batting should not be undervalued.
“He’s the best in the world, as I stated a while back, and given the right conditions, he could be playing 50 or 60 Tests, but I understand the need to balance the side, which is why he hasn’t played more.” His batting should not be taken lightly.
“In first-class cricket, he averages slightly under 40, and in his England career, he’s been a member of several partnerships that have won games. It is necessary for you to possess both physical and mental strength and fitness. The most important thing is to know what to do when you lose an opportunity. Stewart said, “He’s skilled at that.
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