Ben Foakes: Those fine margins haven’t gone Surrey’s way enough at start of this season

Ben Foakes says Surrey just need to seize their opportunity in one or two key moments to spark their season into life.

The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who made a vital 57 in testing conditions on day two of this week’s clash with Somerset at Guildford, also believes that once they rediscover their mo-jo the reigning County Championship Division One champions are capable of going on the sort of winning run that carried them to the title in 2018.

Foakes said: “We haven’t played bad cricket by any means, but it’s generally been the key moments where we have been outplayed and maybe let things slip.

“Last week, at Warwickshire, we had them 186-8 and if we had taken those couple of wickets cheaply it would have been a different game.

“I think it’s just everything coming together. Last year we got on that roll and everything kind of fell into place and went well and a bit of luck goes your way – that sort of stuff.

“This year it’s felt a little like the other way around. There’s been a lot of stuff that hasn’t quite gone right. But we have played some nice cricket, it’s just finding that rhythm of winning games.

“I wouldn’t say we have been completely outplayed. Against Kent, we could have won and we have played good cricket in patches. But, obviously, to win games you’ve got to do more than that and you have to do it throughout the four days.

“It’s about completely being on it in those key moments and out-doing the other team.”

As for his own form, Foakes added: “I feel good. I’m getting into a little bit of a rhythm. Getting that big score is the next step.

“There was a lot of nip and swing at Guildford this week. But when you come to club grounds and there’s a bit of grass on the wicket it can often be unpredictable and not easy if you’re batting last.”