![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/ben-foakes-breaks-silence-on-being-dropped-for-the-ashes/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_Screenshot-2023-08-03-145453.jpg&description=Ben Foakes is regarded by many county cricket fans as England's best wicketkeeper and was in good form heading into the Ashes but was dropped in favour of Jonny Bairstow Ben Foakes has admitted he found watching the Ashes "difficult" - but he insists "there's no sour grapes" over his axe. The Surrey star was controversially dropped as England's wicketkeeper on the eve of the summer to make way for the returning Jonny Bairstow. The decision raised eyebrows, as many county cricket fans regard Foakes as the best wicketkeeper in the world. It was probably not the right decision, either. Although Bairstow scored three half-centuries - including an unbeaten 99 at Old Trafford - he kept poorly. The Yorkshireman dropped several catches and fluffed a chance to run out Steve Smith at the Oval. Although Foakes was denied the chance to play in the biggest series for an Englishman, he doesn't hold any grudges. The 30-year-old is determined to win back the gloves ahead of England's next Test series against India in January. In an interview with The Telegraph, Foakes described the recent Ashes series - which ended in a 2-2 draw - as "entertaining". Yet he admitted: "Watching was difficult." Foakes added: "Everyone is desperate to play the Ashes. It does seem to grip the country, unlike any other series. You get remembered for what you do in the Ashes. Guys who do well in this forge their names, it would have been nice to do that, but it is what it is." Foakes has described his career as "topsy-turvy" - and it's hard to disagree with that. He became one of the most popular figures in English cricket after starting his career with Essex before joining Surrey in 2015, winning two County Championship titles. County cricket fans admire Foakes for his ability as a wicketkeeper, but the presence of Bairstow and Buttler has always limited his international hopes. Bairstow and Buttler are considered as two of the best wicketkeeper-batters of their generation. Foakes was handed his England){kind=link}
Ben Foakes is regarded by many county cricket fans as England’s best wicketkeeper and was in good form heading into the Ashes but was dropped in favour of Jonny Bairstow
Ben Foakes has admitted he found watching the Ashes “difficult” – but he insists “there’s no sour grapes” over his axe.
The Surrey star was controversially dropped as England’s wicketkeeper on the eve of the summer to make way for the returning Jonny Bairstow. The decision raised eyebrows, as many county cricket fans regard Foakes as the best wicketkeeper in the world.
It was probably not the right decision, either. Although Bairstow scored three half-centuries – including an unbeaten 99 at Old Trafford – he kept poorly. The Yorkshireman dropped several catches and fluffed a chance to run out Steve Smith at the Oval.
Although Foakes was denied the chance to play in the biggest series for an Englishman, he doesn’t hold any grudges. The 30-year-old is determined to win back the gloves ahead of England’s next Test series against India in January.