England captain Ben Stokes has complimented Ben Foakes as a special talent’ behind the wickets, confirming the latter’s inclusion in the playing XI as wicketkeeper for the first Test against India in Hyderabad on Thursday, January 25.
The 30-year-old gloveman last played for England on a tour of New Zealand in February of last year, when Jonny Bairstow replaced him after returning from injury.
Since his debut in 2018, Foakes has played 20 Tests for England, accumulating 934 runs at an average of 32.20 and two centuries.
Speaking to the media ahead of the first Test, Stokes said Foakes’ wicketkeeping abilities might have a significant effect on the series.
He can not only accomplish things that other keepers cannot, but he can do them so effortlessly.
He’s a pretty exceptional skill behind the scenes, and having someone like him who can take a 2%, 3% risk might be huge for the series, according to Stokes.
In terms of spinners, the return of uncapped off-spinner Shoaib Bashir to England to resolve visa concerns increases the possibilities of left-arm spinner Tom Hartley getting his debut.
Tom is an extremely tall person. He bowls at a very tough speed to control out here.
He gets a lot of natural variety, which, in India, might be the most difficult thing to deal with when you have two of the same ball, ball after ball, and one turns square and the other skids on and picks up speed, according to Stokes.
Apart from their primary spinner, Jack Leach, England will select either Hartley or Rehan Ahmed in the first Test, depending on the weather and squad balance.
Leach was a member of England’s last tour of India in 2020/21, which ended with a 1-3 series defeat.
I would never put myself ahead of the team – Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes declared himself fully healthy and ready for the first Test against India, having had surgery following the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Due to the ongoing ailment, the 32-year-old bowled minimally in last year’s Ashes and played only as a hitter in the World Cup.
Despite his rehabilitation, Stokes is unlikely to bowl in the forthcoming India test series.
I would never prioritise myself over the team if I didn’t believe I could perform at a particular level.
I would never be so selfish as to consider not performing at a particular level and the consequences for the team.
I could have some hard days in the field, but I’m prepared, Stokes added.
Stokes and Brendon McCullum have been an excellent captain-coach combination, leading England to victory in 13 of their 18 Tests since taking over in mid-2022.
However, England will face a difficult task in beating the Indian juggernaut in their own home, having lost 0-4 and 1-3 on their last two visits.
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