Farewell Fozzy: Essex hero, England enigma and perhaps the greatest keeper of his generation

HUW TURBERVILL: As mysteries go it is up there with what happened to Lord Lucan and Shergar – why did James Foster only play seven Tests?

^{James Foster is hanging up his gloves}

As mysteries go it is up there with what happened to Lord Lucan and Shergar – why did James Foster only play seven Tests?

Now he is retiring at 38, he clearly will not win any more, but if you ask any county cricket aficionado over the last 15 years if he should have done, they would all have said yes (along with Chris Read).

Foster played his first in 2001 at the age of 21, and cynics suggested he was only being given his chance because he played for Essex (home of England captain Nasser Hussain).

It was true Hussain liked what he saw.

Foster showed his mettle in Zimbabwe in early winter 2001, when he stood up to Andy Flower, who later, of course, became his county team-mate. The bust-up – which was entertaining to watch in the flesh it has to be said – came in the third one-day international (of five), at Harare. Foster thought he had caught Flower on 99, celebrated, but the appeal was turned down. Foster and Flower went nose to nose, the air turned blue, and a proud Hussain did not care one jot. Foster clearly had the right stuff.

^{Foster is one of the finest wicketkeepers of his generation}

"It was feisty out there," Hussain said. "I'm not going to say if he [Foster] went over the top or not. I want to see competitiveness in all our cricket. I want to see people with a lot of heart and character. I'd rather have someone with a bit of character. Obviously we're still trying to play the game the right way but…"

Flower said of Foster: "It's up to him how he wants to play the game. If he wants to play aggressively like that and thinks he can back it up then that's what he must do."

With Alec Stewart sitting out the tour to India with concerns for his safety (this was soon after 9/11) Foster played three Tests. His glovework was good and he made scores of 40 and 48.

He then played all three Tests in New Zealand after Christmas, where he was pretty steady – all his scores were between 19 and 25, and three of the five innings were unbeaten. He played one more Test, at Melbourne, in 2002/03, but did not overly trouble the scorers. If only he had gone on to make one big score… but his Test average of 25 is perfectly respectable.

James Foster's open letter to Essex staff and fans

Pre-Duncan Fletcher I am sure he would have played more. In the past England went for the best keeper. Look at Bob Taylor – 57 Tests, average 16.

Foster had some setbacks. He broke his arm in May 2002 (allowing Stewart back in), and the feistiness did not entirely desert him. He swore at a spectator at Chelmsford a year later, and during his stint as Essex captain (June 2010-2015) he was banned for two matches because of the “persistent misconduct of Essex players under his leadership”. He played his part, having a wonderful ding-dong with Surrey’s Zander de Bruyn in a T20 at The Oval in May 2011.

It was quite surprising for me when I was reviewing his career, because any time I have met him he has been thoroughly amiable. Some athletes change when they cross the line, though.

^{The Essex man has been a huge player for his county}

It would be unfair to dwell on all that, anyhow. For the most part he has been a silky gloveman and very fine batsman (with 23 first-class centuries).

He played for the Lions in 2008 and was also picked by MCC, and there was much talk of an England Test recall at various times, especially 2009 and 2013. He took nine catches in the match against Gloucestershire, an Essex record, in 2014.

England favoured wicketkeeper/batsmen like Tim Ambrose, Geraint Jones, Craig Kieswetter and Matt Prior – probably all better batsmen (although Jones is debatable), but whenever there was a spate of drops, Foster’s name would come up again.

Coach Chris Silverwood took the Essex captaincy off him in 2015, but he did not sulk, and was a key part of their Championship-winning side last summer.

He may well have been seen as a classical (longer-form) keeper/batsman early on, but he was brilliant in T20, and was a successful member of the England side that won the World T20 in the Caribbean in 2009. He was also named in ESPNcricinfo’s team of the decade in that format in 2013. Standing up to Graham Napier and co was quite a sight.

He has seen off various challengers at Essex over the years. Ben Foakes went to Surrey, and Adam Wheater has been kept at bay of late.

Foakes will be wary when he looks at Foster’s career, actually. The Surrey man is a fine gloveman, with Alec Stewart saying he is the best England have. But with Jonny Bairstow, Jos Butler and Ollie Pope all in the England squad, he may miss out like Foster has. Which would be a shame.

When it comes to Foster, England’s loss has definitely been Essex’s gain. What a servant for him he has been.