Ben Foakes showed what an outstanding player he is with a crucial 86. Surrey’s Tom Lawes his performance fired Surrey into a dominant position on day two of their County Championship match against Yorkshire at the Kia Oval. This performance follows his career-high score of 174 not out against Warwickshire earlier in the week, marking a significant week for the wicketkeeper-batsman. By stumps, Surrey had rattled up an awesome 384 runs for the loss of seven wickets. They set a comfortable target of 129 runs, with three wickets in hand.
Foakes continued to look in excellent touch, timing everything with a crispness that promised runs, making particular hay on the leg-side. He has now gone over fifty for the fifth time this season. This achievement speaks volumes about his reliability and value to the Surrey batting order. The defining moment of his knock came during an important second-wicket stand with opening partner Kurtis Patterson. Together, they moved the total forward, with Patterson amassing a phenomenal 85 runs. As a unit, they offered a strong base from which to let Surrey run riot over the course of the match.
Foakes joined forces with Patterson to form an excellent partnership. He was given excellent support by Jason Roy, who played patiently to help anchor a topsy-turvy Surrey innings. That support turned out to be critical. It opened up the game for Foakes to focus on his own score-creation while maintaining the momentum of Surrey’s batting charge.
Starting off in fluent fashion, Yorkshire’s potent bowling attack soon got into their work, though Foakes would struggle against their ever-impressive bowling attack. He soon dismissed fellow former ex-England opener Adam Lyth for 26 runs in the first over after tea. This unexpected moment of good news temporarily turned the pressure back on to Surrey. Foakes remained resolutely unflappable. It was excellent resilience and sharp thinking from Lee, as he creamed White just wide of the slips to pick up two runs, stretching his score into the 90s already.
As Foakes neared his half-century, the doubleheader crowd at Kia Oval cheered him on. And what an innings it was, punctuated by strokes that were beautifully timed and served notice with both finesse and muscle that he was back. He reached 86 runs before receiving an edge off his bat that was caught by Jonny Tattersall late in the day’s play. His dismissal was a turning point, but not before he had ensured Surrey’s lead in the match was deeper than ever before.
By the end of day two, Foakes had played an instrumental role in guiding Surrey to their current score of 384-7. With only three wickets left, they are well placed at 129 runs in the lead over Yorkshire. Foakes’s personal artistry really comes to life in this show. It speaks to the overall collective depth and thus strength of the entire Surrey batting order.
Leave a Reply