CALM ON ENGLAND

Cool head Foakes hopes to have role with Bazball blasters

- KEITH WEBSTER

BEN FOAKES is happy to give England a selection headache when Australia hit these shores in June for the Ashes. 

The Sussex wicketkeeper celebrated his 30th birthday last week by playing a crucial role in the first Test win over New Zealand.

His glove work was tidy, even standing up to Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad at times, but it was his contribution with the bat that made the difference.

His 38 in the first innings helped steer England past the landmark of 300 and his 51 in the second innings rescued them at a point where the match hung in the balance.

He does not fit the mould of the aggressive ‘Bazball’ style that captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are developing and Foakes will face pressure for his place when Jonny Bairstow returns soon from injury.