Surrey’s Ben Foakes has been left out of England’s 15-man squad to face Ireland in June. He’s been replaced by Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow who will wear the gloves.
Foakes has scored 934 runs for his country in 19 Test matches, at an average of 33. Bairstow’s average is higher at 37, however there are fears his glovework is not of the same quality.
Foakes is broadly considered one of the best wicketkeepers on the Test circuit.
Bairstow has recently returned to play county cricket for Yorkshire after breaking his leg at the end of 2022.
England director of cricket Rob Key said the decision was “something we agonised over for quite some time”.
“Ben Foakes has done absolutely everything that has been asked of him. We couldn’t find a way to fit them both in. As hard as it is on Ben, you look at the line-up and it’s a very very good side”.
Foakes will be aiming to make a statement on Thursday when Surrey host Kent in the county championship.
Foakes’ Surrey teammate Ollie Pope received better news this morning when he was officially named vice-captain to Ben Stokes for the upcoming series.
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HeadlineSurrey’s Ben Foakes replaced by Jonny Baristow in Test squad
Short HeadlineBen Foakes left out of Test squad
StandfirstSurrey's Ben Foakes has been dropped from England's Test squad for the returning Jonny Bairstow.
Surrey’s Ben Foakes has been left out of England’s 15-man squad to face Ireland in June. He’s been replaced by Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow who will wear the gloves.
Foakes has scored 934 runs for his country in 19 Test matches, at an average of 33. Bairstow’s average is higher at 37, however there are fears his glovework is not of the same quality.
Foakes is broadly considered one of the best wicketkeepers on the Test circuit.
Bairstow has recently returned to play county cricket for Yorkshire after breaking his leg at the end of 2022.
England director of cricket Rob Key said the decision was “something we agonised over for quite some time”.
“Ben Foakes has done absolutely everything that has been asked of him. We couldn’t find a way to fit them both in. As hard as it is on Ben, you look at the line-up and it’s a very very good side”.
Foakes will be aiming to make a statement on Thursday when Surrey host Kent in the county championship.
Foakes’ Surrey teammate Ollie Pope received better news this morning when he was officially named vice-captain to Ben Stokes for the upcoming series.
