Ben Foakes: Essex-born cricketer makes history as he reaches debut England century
Essex-born cricketer Ben Foakes became only the second wicketkeeper to score a century on his debut for England after he reached the milestone against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Foakes, who grew up in Colchester and played for Frinton-on-Sea Cricket Club for several years, resumed overnight on 87 not out and was eventually dismissed for 107.
His score helped England reach 342 - a score that looked nigh on impossible when Foakes first came to the crease at 103-5 on Tuesday.
It means the 25-year-old becomes only the fifth wicketkeeper in Test history to hit a hundred on his first appearance for his country, and the only Englishman to do so since Matt Prior did it against West Indies in 2007.
Members of Foakes' old cricket club in Frinton gathered in the clubhouse to watch him and raised a glass to celebrate his achievement.
He also made further history with the gloves as Sri Lanka struggled in their first innings, becoming the first England wicketkeeper to take a stumping in the first innings of his Test debut since Bob Taylor in 1971.