Ben Foakes insists he is not looking over his shoulder after replacing Jonny Bairstow as Englands Test wicketkeeper during the historic whitewash of Sri Lanka.
After initially being left out of Englands squad, Surrey man Foakes was called up as emergency cover after Bairstow injured his ankle prior to a one-day international.
Foakes proceeded to earn the player of the series award after scoring a hundred on his debut and finishing as the teams top-scorer.
Fit-again Bairstow was believed to be angry at not coming straight back into the team and, playing as a specialist batman at No. 3, scored a century in the final Test.
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But England head coach Trevor Bayliss expects Foakes to retain the gloves against West Indies in the new year and the 25-year-old says he is not thinking about his rivals, with Jos Buttler also able to keep wicket.
My personality is such that I generally dont look at other people, Foakes said. If Rooty wants me to play then Ill try my best, but if he doesnt then that is out of my control.
I dont personally look at outside things and things I cant control. If Im asked to play Ill try and do my best.
There are a few of us keepers around and there is a bit of competition for places but that is fine, you just try and be the best version that you can be of yourself.
Im happy with the way I kept, but I wouldnt say I felt amazing with the gloves. I find it is such a tricky place to keep that you never have any rhythm.
It isnt like Ive been able to relax into it, Ive really had to work and force myself into it, but it has been great fun to do the job and a great challenge.
Englands 3-0 victory represented their first whitewash in Sri Lanka and Foakes added: It has been an unbelievable tour and a brilliant series to be a part of.
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I dont think many people would have expected a 3-0 result here looking at what has happened here in the past, but we have managed to achieve it.
Foakes also heaped praise on England Test captain Joe Root, saying it has been awesome to play under the Yorkshireman.
He said: I think Joes definitely got his own identity and hes very forthcoming with that.
And a big thing is that when you do feel a bit tentative or unsure, he cracks that straight out of you and goes for the positive approach which has worked pretty well here.
Hes been awesome to play under and done a fantastic job, and he is a very good catcher! It is something well have to work on and knuckle down to sort out.
More: Cricket
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Ben Foakes insists he is not looking over his shoulder after replacing Jonny Bairstow as Englands Test wicketkeeper during the historic whitewash of Sri Lanka.
After initially being left out of Englands squad, Surrey man Foakes was called up as emergency cover after Bairstow injured his ankle prior to a one-day international.
Foakes proceeded to earn the player of the series award after scoring a hundred on his debut and finishing as the teams top-scorer.
Fit-again Bairstow was believed to be angry at not coming straight back into the team and, playing as a specialist batman at No. 3, scored a century in the final Test.
More: Cricket
Advertisement Advertisement
But England head coach Trevor Bayliss expects Foakes to retain the gloves against West Indies in the new year and the 25-year-old says he is not thinking about his rivals, with Jos Buttler also able to keep wicket.
My personality is such that I generally dont look at other people, Foakes said. If Rooty wants me to play then Ill try my best, but if he doesnt then that is out of my control.
I dont personally look at outside things and things I cant control. If Im asked to play Ill try and do my best.
There are a few of us keepers around and there is a bit of competition for places but that is fine, you just try and be the best version that you can be of yourself.
Im happy with the way I kept, but I wouldnt say I felt amazing with the gloves. I find it is such a tricky place to keep that you never have any rhythm.
It isnt like Ive been able to relax into it, Ive really had to work and force myself into it, but it has been great fun to do the job and a great challenge.
Englands 3-0 victory represented their first whitewash in Sri Lanka and Foakes added: It has been an unbelievable tour and a brilliant series to be a part of.
Advertisement Advertisement
I dont think many people would have expected a 3-0 result here looking at what has happened here in the past, but we have managed to achieve it.
Foakes also heaped praise on England Test captain Joe Root, saying it has been awesome to play under the Yorkshireman.
He said: I think Joes definitely got his own identity and hes very forthcoming with that.
And a big thing is that when you do feel a bit tentative or unsure, he cracks that straight out of you and goes for the positive approach which has worked pretty well here.
Hes been awesome to play under and done a fantastic job, and he is a very good catcher! It is something well have to work on and knuckle down to sort out.
More: Cricket
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