Essex swagger to finals day

Interview: Essex wicket-keeper James Foster

By Martin Gough

Essex make no secret of the reason for their success in limited-overs cricket. It all comes down to swagger.

TWENTY20 CUP FINALS DAY Saturday, 12 August 1130 BST First semi-final: Essex v Leicestershire 1500 BST Second semi-final: Surrey v Nottinghamshire 1915 BST Final Listen to the semi-finals on BBC Five Live Sports Extra, the final on BBC Radio Five Live and all matches on this website

Winners of the one-day league last year, they have transferred that success into the Twenty20 Cup to reach finals day this Saturday for the first time.

"We believe when we walk out onto the pitch we're going to win the game," wicket-keeper James Foster told BBC Sport.

"A few years ago you might think 'I'm not sure if it's going to be one of those days'.

"But even in four-day cricket if we don't have a great day, we always feel we can come back.

"When you get on a roll and win matches it turns into a habit and that has happened with Twenty20."

The best example so far of the Eagles' never-say-die attitude came in their quarter-final against Yorkshire.

Chasing 144 to win, they looked to be in trouble at 73-5 but Foster joined Ryan ten Doeschate in an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 76 to win with four balls to spare.

Foster believes that the side's lengthy batting order offers them all freedom to hit out without fear.

"We go out with the confidence we can score runs but if one batsman can't do it then the next guy going in feels he can do the job," he said.

"You don't want to leave it to someone else but if you have that confidence you can attack from ball one all the way through."

I would love to keep wicket again for England but I don't worry about it too much because I've got to put in performances for Essex James Foster

There is more to Essex's success than youthful exuberance, though, and a trio of 30-somethings have played a massive part.

Ronnie Irani, 34, is the highest run-scorer still in the competition, with 338 at an average of 48, including a 61-ball ton against Sussex.

Their leading wicket-takers are a 1998 Ashes star and 2003 World Cup winner, both of whom are 35.

"Darren Gough and Andy Bichel have been phenomenal for us this season, taking the new ball. Very rarely have teams been able to get off to a real flier," said Foster.

"We peg them back with our spinners then, at the end, Darren and Andy have again been fantastic.

"Goughy is high-class at that area of the game - he's one of the best in the country at death bowling."

Gough, for a short time billed as another "Next Ian Botham" after hitting 65 on his Test debut, has also been used as a pinch-hitter in a move Foster feels marked the start of this year's success.

While Essex's adopted Yorkshireman was called into England's 30-man one-day squad this week, Foster - still just 26 - has yet to add to his seven Test caps and 11 ODI appearances.

Gough has stood out with his bowling at the death for Essex

For the last four years, the focus has instead been on Chris Read and Geraint Jones, leaving Foster to recover from 12 months under the glare of the England spotlight.

"I was a bit surprised when 'Jonesy' was left out but I didn't give it any thought," he said.

"Yes, I would love to keep wicket again for England but I don't worry about it too much because I've got to put in performances for Essex.

"I feel my game's improving and hopefully at some stage in the future the opportunity will arise again."

The old days of England selection, where a good display in a county showpiece could clinch a tour place, are long gone but a ton this weekend would not do any harm.

"Twenty20 cricket is totally different from a Test match - I don't think you could get further apart," Foster admitted.

"But if you put in a performance in a high-pressure, high-profile occasion it can only be good for the selectors to see."

With the confident mood Foster exudes, the incessant Read-Jones debate could be given another twist.