Ben Foakes is an accomplished English wicketkeeper-batsman known for his stellar domestic record and impactful Test debut. As of 2026, he remains a key player for Surrey in county cricket.
Ben Foakes is a highly skilled wicketkeeper-batsman from England. Born on February 15, 1993, in Colchester, Essex, he comes from a family with strong sporting roots. His father, Peter Foakes, officiated as a professional football referee in the Premier League. Despite making his England debut in 2018 with a landmark century in Galle—making him only the fifth Englishman to score a Test hundred on debut abroad—his early international career was often overshadowed by other wicketkeepers. His first-class cricket numbers highlight his talent, with over 7,000 runs at an average exceeding 40 and more than 300 dismissals. Notably, his catch-to-stumping ratio ranks among the best in England’s county cricket history. Benjamin Thomas Foakes, born on 15 February 1993 in Colchester, Essex, is a professional English cricketer renowned for his role as a specialist wicketkeeper-batsman. He is widely regarded as one of the most technically sound and reliable glovemen in modern cricket. After completing his education at Tendring Technology College in Essex, he launched his professional career with Essex before switching to Surrey in 2015. Foakes primarily represents England in Test cricket, where he made a memorable debut against Sri Lanka on 6 November 2018 in Galle, scoring a century. His One Day International and Twenty20 International debuts came shortly after in May 2019, against Ireland and Pakistan respectively. Alec Stewart, a former England captain, once praised him as the finest wicketkeeper globally. As of 2025, he continued to feature for England in Test matches and played domestically for Surrey, having also represented Essex, England Lions, MCC, and other teams. Ben Foakes’ estimated net worth falls between $2 million and $5 million. Ben Foakes has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye, including his religious beliefs, though he is believed to follow Christianity. Raised in Essex, England, where caste distinctions are not a factor as they are in South Asian cultures, he hails from a close-knit sporting family. His late father, Peter Foakes, was a respected Premier League referee. Peter passed away in 2006 when Ben was just 13 years old, and Ben honors his memory with a wrist tattoo bearing the date of his father’s death, 18.09.06. His mother, Fiona Foakes, works with young cricketers at Essex County Cricket Club. Ben has an older brother named Matt, with whom he shared early cricketing experiences at Frinton-on-Sea Cricket Club. Matt, a talented cricketer in his own right, played at club level. Peter Foakes built a notable career as a football referee, becoming one of the first officials to oversee matches when the Premier League began in 1992. He refereed a total of 21 Premier League games, including several high-pressure fixtures. Before his refereeing career, Peter worked as a schoolteacher. His untimely death in 2006, from a heart attack, left a lasting impact on Ben, who was only 13 at the time. Fiona Foakes previously worked as a physical education teacher. She has been involved with Essex County Cricket Club, where she mentored academy players, helping them navigate academic pressures, career decisions, and the emotional challenges of pursuing a career in sport. When Ben scored a Test century on his England debut in Sri Lanka in 2018, she described herself as an “overwhelmed mess” while arranging travel to see him. Matt Foakes is Ben Foakes’ brother. The two brothers spent considerable time together at Frinton-on-Sea Cricket Club, where Matt was already playing. Matt competed at club level for teams such as Bowdon and Frinton-on-Sea. Ben Foakes does not have any sisters; his only sibling is his elder brother Matt. Ben Foakes has not yet created an official Instagram account. Updates will be provided once he establishes one. Although several fan pages bearing his name do exist. On X, formerly known as Twitter, Ben Foakes does not maintain an official account. He has chosen to avoid all social media platforms and has not created any accounts. On Facebook, the English batsman has not set up an account either. Updates will be shared if he decides to join the platform. During his international cricket career for England, Ben Foakes wore the jersey number 50. In domestic cricket, his number has varied; he has worn both number 4 and 7 depending on the competition. Ben Foakes has largely kept his personal life private, including his religious views, though it is believed he follows Christianity. Born and raised in Essex, England, he grew up in a society where caste is not a social factor, unlike in some South Asian countries. Ben Foakes has been in a long-term relationship with Lynsey Wilson for several years. Lynsey, who originates from Scotland, is a psychology expert currently working in London as a Director of Client Services at a matchmaking and relationship consultancy. Although the couple has kept details about their relationship private, it is reported they have been together for over five years. Ben Foakes’ partner is Lynsey Wilson, a professional from Scotland. The couple has reportedly been in a committed relationship for several years. Lynsey holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Aberdeen and now serves as a director at a relationship consultancy in London. They have been together for over five years but have rarely spoken publicly about their relationship. Ben Foakes began his cricketing journey through the Essex system before moving to Surrey in 2015 for greater opportunities behind the stumps. His major breakthrough arrived in November 2018 when he was called up for England’s tour of Sri Lanka following an injury to Jonny Bairstow. On debut in Galle, he scored a remarkable 107, becoming just the second English wicketkeeper to score a century on Test debut. His excellent wicketkeeping on spinning pitches in the series earned widespread acclaim. In May 2019, he made his ODI debut against Ireland, guiding England to a shaky chase with an unbeaten 61 and earning the Player of the Match award. Ben Foakes has had a solid international career, especially in Test cricket, where he has played 25 matches and batted 46 times. He has accumulated just over 1,100 runs at an average of 29.2, including two centuries and four fifties, with a highest score of 113 not out. Behind the stumps, he has been reliable, with nearly 70 catches and 10 stumpings. While his opportunities in limited-overs cricket have been limited, he impressed in his sole ODI appearance by scoring an unbeaten 61 and performing effectively with the gloves. He did not bat in his single T20I appearance. In the Vitality Blast, Ben Foakes has participated in 74 matches for Essex and Surrey. Across 50 innings, he has scored 835 runs, with a top score of 75 not out. While his average of 21.4 is modest, it reflects his role batting lower down the order, often in challenging situations. He has a strike rate of 124 and has recorded four fifties. His wicketkeeping is widely regarded as the best in domestic cricket, with 37 catches and 10 stumpings. In 2012, Ben Foakes stood out by finishing as England’s leading run-scorer at the Under‑19 World Cup. His Test debut in November 2018 was nothing short of spectacular; he scored a brilliant 107, becoming only the second England wicketkeeper to score a century on debut. Days later, he continued his fine form with an unbeaten 61 on ODI debut, earning Player of the Match honors. That year, he was named Man of the Series in England’s Test victory over Sri Lanka. In 2023, he received a major accolade when Wisden named him one of their Five Cricketers of the Year. In 2024, he reached another milestone by becoming only the 12th England wicketkeeper to achieve 1,000 Test runs. Ben Foakes is 32 years old as of February 15, 2025. Ben Foakes’ partner is Lynsey Wilson, a professional from Scotland. What is Ben Foakes’ net worth and salary? Ben Foakes’ net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million. What are Ben Foakes’ career achievements? In 2023, he was honored by Wisden, being named one of their Five Cricketers of the Year. In 2024, he became only the 12th England wicketkeeper to reach 1,000 Test runs. All images used are for editorial purposes only. Licensed solely with Getty/Source.