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Ben Foakes has been the designated wicketkeeper in England’s Test side of late. The wicketkeeper does not play extravagant shots like Jos Buttler or Jonny Bairstow but is quick behind the wickets. Foakes showed an example of what he can do with a MS Dhoni-esque stumping in the three-day England vs England Lions clash at Tolerance Oval ahead of England’s tour of Pakistan.
In the 68th over, Will Jacks, a right-arm off-spinner bowled one towards leg side and dragged his length back as he saw Jack Haynes charging down the wicket. The ball was so far down the leg side that Foakes had to put in a dive to collect the ball. At this point, Haynes had not expected Foakes to throw the ball back at stumps but the latter flicked it in one quick motion to catch the batter outside the crease.
Foakes successfully attempted the no-look flick which we often see former Indian skipper Dhoni attempt behind the stumps to stump or run a batter out. Haynes who was scoring at a good pace had to return back to the pavillion. He had scored 36 runs from 42 deliveries.
Despite a middle-order failure, England Lions managed to post 412/9 on Day 2. Earlier opener and skipper Haseeb Ahmeed scored 145 runs from 172 deliveries including 20 fours and two sixes. He shared a 179-run opening partnership with Tom Haines (82) which was broken by Craig Overton.
No other batter could make a mark as England Lions lost wickets at regular intervals. Towards the end of day's play Jofra Archer provided some entertainment with an unbeaten 15-ball 39 including four fours and three sixes.
Earlier on Day 1 Ollie Pope-led England posted a mammoth total of 501/7 from 79 overs showcasing their ‘Bazball’ template Zak Crawley missed his century by just four runs. He scored 96 runs from 89 deliveries before getting run out by Archer. Pope batted with a strike rate of 121.66. He scored 146 runs from 120 deliveries including 22 fours and three sixes. Joe Root failed to make a mark and got out for a single-digit score. Liam Livingstone scored a breezy 36 off 23 deliveries whereas Jacks belted 12 fours and four sixes in his 48-ball 84.
