No, James Foster can’t remember a NatWest T20 Blast campaign like it, where all nine teams in the South Group can still qualify for the knockout stages with a game or two to play – and he’s been around since the competition started in 2003.
Essex Eagles will go through, and maybe even land a home quarter-final tie by finishing in the top two, by winning the remaining games against Kent Spitfires on Thursday at home and Friday’s televised match at Hove against Sussex Sharks.
“As we’ve seen throughout the competition, everyone’s beating everyone else,” says wicketkeeper, Foster. “It’s one of those formats where, on the day, if you don’t bring your ‘A’ game you can be exposed.
“From experience over the years, you get on a bit of a roll and momentum can go one way or the other – in a positive way, also in a negative way. We’re just on a roll at the minute and we’re confident ahead of our next two games.
“We’ve won our last three games and that breeds confidence. Having said that, we’re still coming up against two extremely good sides. But with this format, someone from either side can have a day-out, which can completely turn the game on its head.
“A batsman can score a wonderful knock off not many balls, and the same with the bowling: a magical couple of overs can rip the heart out of a side.”
Essex had one of each in the low-scoring victory against Gloucestershire at Bristol last time out. Jamie Porter posted his best T20 figures with four for 20, and Varun Chopra took his season’s tally past 300 runs with a whirlwind 44.
“Ports showed his ability and nous, especially the way the batters play in this format, where you have to use your skill-set and try and think one step ahead,” said Foster.
“Varun’s knock got us so far ahead of the game chasing 121, it was a match-winning innings. He’s got some really good ball-striking ability, good long levers and good skill levels – he can hit square and straight, which is very important for a top-order batsman, and he uses his crease exceptionally well.”
Foster has also chipped in with some important contributions lower down the order, with his unbeaten 33 at Hampshire carrying his side over the line in the first of three recent wins.
He says: “It would be nicer to score runs every time. But I’ve been around long enough to accept that sometimes it doesn’t work out. You just try and trust yourself, back yourself every time and hopefully it comes off.”
