Foakes flourishing during Indian tour (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Foakes flourishing during Indian tour

8:00pm Thursday 13th December 2012 in Sport By Matt Plummer

FRINTON cricketer Ben Foakes feels he is reaping the rewards of an “awesome” tour of India.

The Essex batsman is in the sub-continent with the England Performance Programme.

So far he and his team-mates have romped to victory in two three-day games against the DY Patil Academy XI and Foakes smashed 90 from 94 balls in the opener, in Mumbai.

“It’s been awesome,” said the 19-year-old, who will play club cricket for Frinton again next summer and lives in Kirby-le-Soken.

“The conditions have been pretty tough and they’re typical slow, ragged Indian wickets.

“It challenges you, but that’s what here for and it’s been a great experience so far.

“I feel comfortable at this level.

“I was a a bit nervous before the first game, as you’d expect, so it was nice to get a few runs.

“The standard is so high and it’s been great training with top-class bowlers and very beneficial to my progress.

“Being involved here has been a great way to finish 2012.

“It’s been a great opportunity and one I wouldn’t have thought possible this time last year.”