5 new batting stars who could shine in 2019

#2 Ben Foakes

Ben Foakes (batting) stunned Sri Lanka with his proficient batting on spin-friendly wickets

Playing spin well has been a major issue for non-subcontinental sides for a long time. England have had their fair share of difficulties in this department. Therefore, it was a great delight for their fans to see a batsman emerge from their country who mastered this challenge in his very first innings, that too in Sri Lanka.

Ben Foakes wasn’t supposed to be on the tour to the island nation but was drafted in at a late stage. He came out to bat in the first innings of the first Test at Galle with his side in serious danger of getting bundled out for less than 200.

The way Foakes batted then left everyone full of admiration. He seemed fully competent against spinners like Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera and devoid of those technical peculiarities which make non-subcontinental batsmen vulnerable against the turning ball.

With quick footwork, he was able to pick the length of the ball and react to it properly. Added to it was good shot selection and calm demeanor. By batting in an equally impressive way through the rest of the series, Foakes proved his debut hundred wasn’t a fluke.

While his keeping was also flawless, the batting potential he showed makes him a player to watch out for in the coming months.