Ben Foakes talks about his move to Surrey
By Callum Dent
Wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes admits the opportunity to work with Graham Ford and Alec Stewart at Surrey was too good to turn down.
The 21-year-old failed to secure a regular first-team place at Essex and announced he was leaving in August, signing a three-year deal at the Kia Oval.
With ex-Sri Lanka coach Ford and former England gloveman Stewart, Surrey’s head coach and director of cricket respectively, at the club, Foakes believes he is in the right place to improve his game.
“When I was looking at counties, I asked about Ford and Stewart to a lot of people and no-one came back with a negative,” Foakes said.
“From what I’ve heard they are two of the best guys to work with in world cricket. The opportunities to work with guys like that do not come round that often.
“If I can learn anything off them, then that would be brilliant.”
Foakes became the second wicketkeeper to leave Essex in recent years following Adam Wheater’s departure to Hampshire.
Ex-England international James Foster continues to get better with age, meaning Foakes’ opportunities for regular action at the Essex County Ground were restricted.
He said: “With Essex I knew my options were going to be limited for the next few years.
“I was told as long as Foster was about he was going to keep in all formats, which could be five or six years. I didn’t want to wait that long.”
However, competition in the wicketkeeping department at his new employers will also be fierce with the presence of Steven Davies and Irishman Gary Wilson, who have both played international cricket.
Really good to catch up with @Foakesey04 who is settling in very nicely..interview later in the week pic.twitter.com/dLzphSf05P
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) October 15, 2014
“Surrey were the best club that came in,” Foakes said. “If I could choose a club, it would be Surrey. I know there is a lot of stiff competition with the keeping, but I am just trying to put my name in the hat and see if I can push for a first-team spot.
“Everyone wants to play in the first team. At a club like this, with some of the players, to have the opportunity to play alongside them would be amazing. I just want to work as hard as I can and try to get in there.”
On the prospect of plying his trade at the Kia Oval on a regular basis, the former England Lion and under-19 international added: "It’s unbelievable. I came here for Essex a couple of times.
“The Twenty20 game we played here was an unbelievable atmosphere, and even the four-day stuff.
“The history of the club and the opportunity to play at a place where so much has happened is a great opportunity.”