Watch: Ben Foakes makes spectacular leg-side stop standing up to fast bowler

Ben Foakes has often earned accolades for his prowess as a wicketkeeper. Due to the presence of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler, he has often had to wait for his chances to play at the international level. After making his debut in November 2018 against Sri Lanka, Foakes played two away Tests against the West Indies in 2019. Thereafter, he had to warm the benches for as long as two years.

In the 2021-22 Ashes, England lost 0-4 and the Brits team management brought in a lot of changes. Even as Bairstow retained his place in the team, Jos Butter was left out. The England and Cricket Board (ECB) selection panel gave Foakes a chance to show his skills as a keeper. The 29-year-old was picked to play in the Three Lions’ three-match Test series against Kraigg Brathwaite’s West Indies.

On Day three of the opening Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, Foakes showed what he can do with the keeping gloves. In the third ball of the 70th over, he made a stupendous save on the leg side. Chris Woakes bowled a half-tracker down the leg-side and the ball was destined to race away to the boundary for four byes.

But Foakes showed great presence of mind and reflexes to save four runs for his team. He moved on to his left briskly and stuck his left hand out to stop the ball. Foakes collected the ball cleanly and also drew praises from the commentator for his sharp piece of glove-work. Earlier, Foakes also took two catches to send John Campbell and Jason Holder back to the pavilion.

Here’s the video of Ben Foakes making the incredible save

Majestic Ben Foakes behind stumps.pic.twitter.com/it06fJAGvE

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 10, 2022

Foakes has also been impressive with the bat in the ongoing Test. In the first innings, he scored 42 runs off 87 balls with eight fours before Holder trapped him in front. He was also involved in a partnership of 99 runs with Bairstow for the sixth wicket. In nine Tests thus far, Foakes has already scored over 450 with one fifty and one century. In first-class cricket, he has scored over 6000 runs with 11 centuries.