England's Ben Foakes Confident: More Spin? No Problem, English Wicketkeeper Confident & Ready To Tackle Extreme Pitches With New Mindset
Ben Foakes reflected on England's struggles against challenging spinning pitches in 2021, attributing the difficulties to a fear of failure. He expressed confidence that the current team has developed a stronger mental approach to tackle similar conditions in the upcoming Test series. England's recent success in the series opener against India on a challenging pitch in Hyderabad has provided them with a positive start.
England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes highlighted the team's enhanced mental readiness to confront the difficulties posed by turning pitches in India. He noted a significant 'mindset shift' under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. The touring side anticipates a robust reply from India following their unexpected victory in the series opener in Hyderabad, led by Rohit Sharma.
While India grapples with potential changes due to injury concerns, attention is focused on the pitch in Visakhapatnam for the second Test beginning on February 2. Speculation is rife that India might opt for rank turners after facing challenges on a good sporting pitch in Hyderabad.
Ben Foakes recalled the 2021 tour, during which England and India played four Tests across two venues due to Covid-19 restrictions. England secured a victory in the first Test on a flat pitch, courtesy of a Joe Root masterclass. However, India dominated the remaining three Tests on spicier and more spin-friendly pitches. Axar Patel and R Ashwin collectively claimed 59 wickets, with the former, in his debut Test series, taking 27 wickets in just three matches, unsettling the England batters with the 'raging bunsens'.
"The first Test was played on a flat wicket, and then they went to 'raging bunsens'. All three were probably the worst pitches I've batted on," remarked wicketkeeper Foakes, as reported by the BBC.
Foakes, renowned for his secure glovework, emphasised that England batters have recognised the likelihood of spinners dominating on such pitches, and it's acceptable to encounter failures. He acknowledged that fear of failure weighed on the team during their last tour.
"It's more of a mindset shift of how to go about it, because in those conditions, the bowler is a massive favourite to win the contest... It's about how many blows you can put in," explained Foakes.
"Previously, there was a fear of getting out, putting us in our shells. Now it's not worrying that you are getting out and accepting that you probably are on those sorts of surfaces. You can actually go and dominate at times as well," he added.
"Several lads have a game plan that will fare well on those pitches." Significantly, Foakes made a pivotal contribution in the first Test, forming a vital 112-run partnership with Ollie Pope, who dramatically shifted the momentum in England's favour with an impressive 196.
The bold and aggressive stance of the England batters became apparent in the second innings as Pope spearheaded a counter-offensive that caught Rohit Sharma's India off guard. England successfully overturned a daunting first-innings deficit of 190 runs and eventually set a target of 231 for India. Despite initial setbacks, the hosts were eventually dismissed for 202, sealing a remarkable comeback for England.
As England enters the 2nd Test riding high on confidence, India faces challenges with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Virat Kohli's absence looms over the team, compounded by the unavailability of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul due to injury concerns.
England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes highlighted the team's enhanced mental readiness to confront the difficulties posed by turning pitches in India. He noted a significant 'mindset shift' under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. The touring side anticipates a robust reply from India following their unexpected victory in the series opener in Hyderabad, led by Rohit Sharma.
While India grapples with potential changes due to injury concerns, attention is focused on the pitch in Visakhapatnam for the second Test beginning on February 2. Speculation is rife that India might opt for rank turners after facing challenges on a good sporting pitch in Hyderabad.
Ben Foakes recalled the 2021 tour, during which England and India played four Tests across two venues due to Covid-19 restrictions. England secured a victory in the first Test on a flat pitch, courtesy of a Joe Root masterclass. However, India dominated the remaining three Tests on spicier and more spin-friendly pitches. Axar Patel and R Ashwin collectively claimed 59 wickets, with the former, in his debut Test series, taking 27 wickets in just three matches, unsettling the England batters with the 'raging bunsens'.
"The first Test was played on a flat wicket, and then they went to 'raging bunsens'. All three were probably the worst pitches I've batted on," remarked wicketkeeper Foakes, as reported by the BBC.
Foakes, renowned for his secure glovework, emphasised that England batters have recognised the likelihood of spinners dominating on such pitches, and it's acceptable to encounter failures. He acknowledged that fear of failure weighed on the team during their last tour.
"It's more of a mindset shift of how to go about it, because in those conditions, the bowler is a massive favourite to win the contest... It's about how many blows you can put in," explained Foakes.
"Previously, there was a fear of getting out, putting us in our shells. Now it's not worrying that you are getting out and accepting that you probably are on those sorts of surfaces. You can actually go and dominate at times as well," he added.
"Several lads have a game plan that will fare well on those pitches." Significantly, Foakes made a pivotal contribution in the first Test, forming a vital 112-run partnership with Ollie Pope, who dramatically shifted the momentum in England's favour with an impressive 196.
The bold and aggressive stance of the England batters became apparent in the second innings as Pope spearheaded a counter-offensive that caught Rohit Sharma's India off guard. England successfully overturned a daunting first-innings deficit of 190 runs and eventually set a target of 231 for India. Despite initial setbacks, the hosts were eventually dismissed for 202, sealing a remarkable comeback for England.
As England enters the 2nd Test riding high on confidence, India faces challenges with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Virat Kohli's absence looms over the team, compounded by the unavailability of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul due to injury concerns.
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