Ben Foakes called up as cover for Jonny Bairstow

[squarelegumpire]

IIRC the ECB or whoever runs the Test side nowadays told us and Foakes that they wanted him to get more F/c experience. This was around the time, again IIRC, that our then Chairman made it clear that no way was he going to argue about anything with Fozzie. So Foakes moved to Surrey.

The good bit is that he started with us, so we still get some money from the ECB for encouraging him. As we do with Topley Jnr, and would with Mills if he ever played representative cricket again.

[Valentines Park]

our then Chairman made it clear that no way was he going to argue about anything with Fozzie.

Arguing like winning is overrated.

[squarelegumpire]

our then Chairman made it clear that no way was he going to argue about anything with Fozzie.

Arguing like winning is overrated.

Surprised to find you supporting the ancien regime, VP! Have you decided that PG really was a good coach?

[nat]

our then Chairman made it clear that no way was he going to argue about anything with Fozzie.

Arguing like winning is overrated.

Surprised to find you supporting the ancien regime, VP! Have you decided that PG really was a good coach?

Please please .... don't.

[IlfordEagle]

Pleased for Foakes having a fine debut with a well put together century, he has certainly matured very well since joining Sorry, batting as he does so often for Sorry when they do struggle ie looking after the tail etc & doing well behind the stumps as well. One benefit for Essex is that if he continues like this he may well become an Eng regular as well as Sam Curran & Rory Burns which will weaken Sorry substantially & benefit us. It might also wake up any Eng players who are complacent about their places.

[afinetickletoleg]

It was quite amusing last night listening to Ebony Rainford on The Debate saying how Foakes was a great credit to the development of young talent at Surrey.

[Valentines Park]

Surprised to find you supporting the ancien regime, VP!

Hardly.

Just having a (another) sly dig at the deadbeats that used to run the club.

Although to be fair to Grayson he did at least mount the pretence of a T20 campaign.

       

[Valentines Park]

It was quite amusing last night listening to Ebony Rainford on The Debate saying how Foakes was a great credit to the development of young talent at Surrey.

Foakes has come on leaps & bounds at Surrey.

Laughable at it seems now most of us were sadder to see Wheater to go at the time.

[Andy]

It was quite amusing last night listening to Ebony Rainford on The Debate saying how Foakes was a great credit to the development of young talent at Surrey.

Has anyone corrected her...?

[Andy]

Foakes has come on leaps & bounds at Surrey.

Laughable at it seems now most of us were sadder to see Wheater to go at the time.

Not sure about that...at the time of his debut, I thought Wheater was being turned into a keeper whereas Foakes was always a keeper. However I was sad that we seemed to unfortunately be blessed with 3 keepers who could bat at the same time: I was castigated for suggesting we dump Foster, which was understandable given the latter's ongoing performance. 

Maybe if Wheater had stayed with us he would've done better, but overall it goes to show that talent management is a tricky thing and not an exact science.

[smandlej]

It was quite amusing last night listening to Ebony Rainford on The Debate saying how Foakes was a great credit to the development of young talent at Surrey.

She'll be telling us next that Morkel is a home-grown talent.

Steve

[jwb]

To be fair when Foakes went to Surrey he couldn’t get in the side. Was kept out by the exceptional talent that was Gary Wilson.

[squarelegumpire]

Foakes has come on leaps & bounds at Surrey.

Laughable at it seems now most of us were sadder to see Wheater to go at the time.

Not sure about that...at the time of his debut, I thought Wheater was being turned into a keeper whereas Foakes was always a keeper. However I was sad that we seemed to unfortunately be blessed with 3 keepers who could bat at the same time: I was castigated for suggesting we dump Foster, which was understandable given the latter's ongoing performance. 

Maybe if Wheater had stayed with us he would've done better, but overall it goes to show that talent management is a tricky thing and not an exact science.

I don’t think Wheater was ever 'turned into' a keeper; IIRC that’s what he wanted to be. You were right about having three keepers who could bat; there are, after all, only 19 F/c jobs for wicketkeepers in the country, or 20 if one counts Scotland!

[Andy]

I don’t think Wheater was ever 'turned into' a keeper; IIRC that’s what he wanted to be. You were right about having three keepers who could bat; there are, after all, only 19 F/c jobs for wicketkeepers in the country, or 20 if one counts Scotland!

Perhaps Foakes looked a natural keeper and AW was a bit more workmanlike... It is noticeable how BF's keeping has been singled out as being a level above the other two keepers in the Test team, so that's not to say AW can't/shouldn't keep at County level.

[IlfordEagle]

Re Adam Wheater, I wonder if now the shadow of JF has now been removed Adam may now blossom into an extremely reliable & consistent keeper, the role is now his to keep & whilst Pepper may push him in future years he is clearly not yet ready, perhaps judge Adam again after a season or 2 as undisputed No 1