James Foster’s career began with a meteoric rise to fame when he was called into the England squad for the tours to India and Sri Lanka in 2001/02 after just a handful of County Championship appearances. An injury in 2002 forced him to miss much of the domestic campaign although he was able to continue his international involvement, figuring in the Melbourne Test in December of that year. He returned to regular action in 2003 but was denied further international opportunities. Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s top keepers, James represented England impressively in the World Twenty20 in 2009 but failed to win a further Test cap.

He has taken 816 dismissals in his Essex career so far, some way behind Taylor, but so far clear in second that he will unlikely ever be beaten. In 2010 he took over full Essex captaincy duties from Mark Pettini. The limited-overs side under Foster were consistently impressive and Foster has developed into a skillful and innovative finisher.

Ryan ten Doeschate took the reins, but Foster’s consistency and longevity at the highest level was finally rewarded in 2016, as Essex clinched the Division Two title and a return to the promise land. He once again bounced back from adversity in 2017, after Adam Wheater was handed the gloves for Essex’s assault on Division One. Foster soon returned though and was an integral part of the Club’s first Championship success for 25 years, scoring valuable runs down the order and being his consistent best with the gloves in hand.

Date of Birth:	15/04/80
Squad No:	7
Nationality:
Debut	2000
Capped	2001
Role in Team:	Wicket-Keeper
Batting:	Right-Hand
Bowling:	–
	@JamesFoster07
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