Alec Stewart labels an uncapped gloveman as the best wicketkeeper in the world

England legend Alec Stewart, in a very surprising statement, said that a Surrey wicketkeeper who’s never played international cricket is the world’s best wicketkeeper.  Ben Foakes, a 24-year-old who has played two seasons at the London-club in which the England legend is a director of cricket, was bestowed the honour by the 133-Test veteran on Wednesday.

It is, however, very rare to call a domestic wicketkeeper as the world’s best, when you have names like MS Dhoni and the like. But Stewart doesn’t want to be biased towards the big names.

“I’ve got to be careful not to be biased when it comes to Foakesy, because I reckon he’s the best wicketkeeper in the world,” Stewart, who sits third on England’s all-time Test run-scoring and dismissals lists, told ESPN.

“When he’s batting, he’s Test-match quality, but he’s got a very good cricketer ahead of him in Jonny Bairstow.

Ever since leaving Essex, Foakes has forged a reputation as one the best glovemen in the domestic circuit. He executed 46 dismissals for Surrey in 15 matches last season – the second-highest tally in Division One – and also racked up 759 runs at 42.16.

While he hasn’t yet made his international debut, the youngster has featured in 19 games for the England Lions in all 3 formats and was very instrumental on their recent tour of Sri Lanka.

“When I say he’s the best in the world, I mean I haven’t seen any better. I’m not saying he’s in Jack’s class or Alan Knott’s class, or Ian Healy’s class. But of those currently playing, of what I’ve seen, I haven’t seen anyone better.” he maintained.

If at all Foakes makes it to international cricket some day, we may get to witness his sparkling dismissals behind the wickets and know if he can translate his domestic feats to international ones.