• ‘It was an amazing day. It feels a bit surreal at the moment’
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 Test. The assumption was that Jos Buttler would take over the keeping duties.
Written by Vic Marks in Galle
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/06/cricket-england-ben-foakes-makes-most-pleasant-surprise under the title “‘I was planning a winter off,’ says Foakes after rescuing England in Sri Lanka”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
