Ben Foakes focuses on squaring the series with England
Ben Foakes insists England can still emerge from the wreckage in India with a 2-2 draw.
The beleaguered tourists have been routed by India’s rampant spinners for scores of 134, 164, 112 and 81 on turning tracks since winning the opening match.
On Thursday Joe Root’s side face the unenviable challenge of returning to the scene of their two-day defeat in the day/night third Test for the final match of the series.
Wicketkeeper Foakes admits Chennai and Ahmedabad threw up conditions he has never faced before but says England’s top order are capable of knuckling down and putting runs on the board.
“From playing on the last two pitches I’ve never seen turn like that. They almost feel like day five pitches from ball one,” Foakes said.
“It’s understanding we are going to get out at times and it’s making peace with a certain way of getting out if it means we can score runs.
“We just have to grind out and try to put runs on the board. It’s not an easy thing to do obviously but I guess be solid and understand our game plan, and if we get out we get out.
“We’ve been completely outplayed the last two games but we’re still in a position to draw in India and we can put a good performance in and get a 2-2 draw, that would be a really good achievement out here. That’s purely the focus, trying to get that 2-2.”
Foakes’ displays behind the stumps have been one of the few bright spots in England’s back-to-back defeats.
The Surrey gloveman’s performances have thrust the England wicketkeeping position back into the spotlight after Jos Buttler returned to the UK following the first Test.
But Foakes insists he is not thinking of permanently displacing Buttler.
“No. Going into the tour it’s obvious Jos is going away for a rest to spend some time with his family for a bit,” he added.
“The way I’ve mentally approached the games is it’s three more opportunities to play for England and I’ll try and do as well as I can.
“If anything does come of it that’s amazing but I’m just trying not to look too far ahead and just enjoy the moment.”
Latest
-
News
It’s a lot of fun – Heather Knight still enjoying captaining England
Knight succeeded Charlotte Edwards, who had a decade-long stint in the position, in June 2016.
-
England
On this day in 2018: Kevin Pietersen retires from professional cricket
The latter years of the Pietermaritzburg-born maverick’s career were spent on the T20 circuit.
-
England
Jofra Archer snaps off stump on impressive return from injury in India
The 28-year-old took two for 22 in seven overs.
-
County Cricket
Darren Gough steps down as managing director of cricket at Yorkshire
Gough said it was the “right time” to move on having been in the post since December 2021.
-
England
On this day in 2004: Steve Harmison takes seven for 12 against West Indies
The pace bowler produced a devastating spell at Sabina Park 20 years ago.
-
England
Jos Buttler feels refreshed and ready to enjoy ‘best years’ of his career
England’s white-ball team endured a poor 2023 which culminated in the disastrous defence of their World Cup crown in India.
-
England
Jos Buttler confident ‘special cricketer’ Jofra Archer will be fit for World Cup
Archer has not represented his country since last March when he featured in a T20 match in Bangladesh.
-
Indian Premier League
England batter Harry Brook withdraws from IPL following death of his grandmother
Brook pulled out of England’s five-Test tour to India before the squad flew out from their training camp in the United Arab Emirates.