The 35-year-old all-rounder takes the helm for the Division 2 encounter with Oxford Downs at the Recreation Ground following an incredible 12 months.
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| Patrick Foster celebrates a wicket against Amersham last season. Picture: Rob Judges |
During the close season, he's kept up a relentless pace - quite literally when it came to running the London Marathon in an impressive 3hrs 20mins in October - before having his book, 'Might Bite - The secret life of a gambling addict', published in February.
That led to a series of high-profile media appearances, including on Steph McGovern's Channel 4 show, the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, Radio 4 with the Reverend Richard Coles and Radio 5 Live with Adrian Chiles.
As he headed to Harrogate to give a talk to school pupils on the pitfalls of gambling for his employers EPIC Risk Management, he said: "It has been another whirlwind year. It's been incredible since the end of last season.
"I did the London Marathon, which the club were very supportive of. The book was published in February and has been a success. I have had an unbelievable experience with that, and my wife, Charlotte, and I are expecting our first child this year.
"It's been an amazing winter and life continues to get better. I think in terms of the response the book has had, and the reviews, it exceeded everyone's expectations. The feedback I have had has been really positive.
"I am grateful to the club's support and one thing people have said in the book is how great it is that I am playing cricket again, and even better that it should be at Horspath, which is nice."
Amidst all his work and non-cricketing commitments, came the offer from Horspath director of cricket Will Eason to captain the side after Lloyd Belcher stepped down due to doubts about his availability. Much like England - who have turned to their star all-rounder Ben Stokes - there were not a lot of obvious candidates to take on the role.
With his experience and talent, Foster stood out and he was keen to step up to the plate. He said: "I have always had ambitions to captain the club and Will got in touch and said would you consider it.
"My main consideration at that stage was with my availability and work. If I commit to it, I wanted to commit to it as fully as possible. I was a bit worried about with how much travelling I do and missing things like training.
"The club were keen for me to do it, though, and I am very happy and delighted to be doing it. Coming back to the club was a big thing for me and for the club to embrace me as it did and to offer me the captaincy also really means something in my recovery.
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| Patrick Foster walks off after his brilliant century at Ynystawe. Picture: Gareth Hamilton |
"Because of work and other things when I discussed it with Will it was very much on the understanding if I was not playing for whatever reason he would be there to do it, so I had an experienced man to hand it over to.
"I will lean on Lloyd with his experience of captaining the last couple of years, and Will will step in when I am not there and do the job brilliantly. It's nice knowing that if I am not captain it won't leave a big hole on that front.
"I don't think I am going to do it long-term. I think it an opportunity to let the next long-term captain emerge over the next seasons. I am not saying it is the end, but it is really nice to captain the club before I stop playing."
With his wealth of experience, having played first-class cricket for Durham UCCE and also had spells with Northants Academy and clubs including Spencer (Surrey), Harpenden and Teddington, he believes it stands him in good stead to maintain his own performance levels while leading the side.
"I have some experience of captaincy and I have always loved doing it," he said. "I did it at Durham University and captained the side for the best part of two years, and in first-class games. I have not done a huge amount in club cricket. It is something I enjoy. I think in club cricket, as an all-rounder, I enjoy it whether it is batting, bowling, fielding or captaining.
"I have the experience of playing for a long time, which I think helps as I've seen most things and situations. I think the biggest thing for me is putting additional pressure on myself and managing that - not to try even harder and force it too much. I'll have to be on my best behaviour on the pitch as well!
"I am confident I can do it because I am more experienced. I should be able to manage that and not try too hard because I am captain. I think the most important thing is to try and enjoy it. If it doesn't go well for me personally, I can still enjoy the team's success hopefully. I think that the thing with being captain is I can still influence the game even if I get out first ball or my bowling gets whacked."
In a limited campaign, Foster's batting was a revelation last season as he took it to another level with several displays of destructive hitting. He hammered 285 league runs at an average of 47.50, including an unbeaten 91 off 58 balls in a crushing 164-run victory at home to Burnham.
However, the highlight of his season came in the Voneus Village Cup fifth round when he smashed a phenomenal 113 not out from 75 deliveries in the four-wicket defeat at Ynystawe. At the same time, his seam bowling was as tidy as ever, taking 16 league wickets at an average of 16.19.
"I think I probably exceeded my expectations and people's expectations, particularly with the bat," he reflected. "I think that is a part of my game that has improved. It was nice to play a couple of really good innings - innings of substance. Before it was 'Foz may whack 20 or 30'. I aim to continue to play my own way and be very positive. I really enjoy my batting and I want to make the most of it when I get the opportunity."
He plans to bat at No 6, but says that could change depending on how the side are faring. "I think one of the things about myself is that I can float around a bit," he added. "I am quite flexible and can react to the situation of the game.
"It's nice to contribute with bat and ball. My bowling was probably slightly different to how it used to be. I am more of a first change and holding type of bowler. I think what I love about it is that if it doesn't go well with one part of my game, I can influence the game with the other. I'm fully prepared and raring to go. I think also when you get older you understand your own game a lot better."
Horspath will do battle again on three fronts this season, competing in the Village Cup and the Hartwell Senior Cup (formerly Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup) as well as the Home Counties.
Foster added: "I think it would be stupid not to be ambitious. League-wise we want to be right up and there and compete. I think it is an interesting league. I don't think there is a stand-out side. I think there are a lot of very good sides, and everyone can beat each other. We want to finish as high as we can."
The club continue their Village Cup campaign with a second-round tie at Aston Rowant on Sunday - a repeat of last year's regional final which Horspath won by 80 runs to claim their first county crown for 42 years.
"The Village Cup is a big focus for us," said the captain. "It is a competition the club love. We won the Oxfordshire group last year and went into the nationals and came close to progressing. If we get out of the Oxfordshire group, which is notoriously difficult, I think it is a competition we could do well in. The ambition is to win it again."
On the playing front, South African all-rounder Imraan Manack has been signed as the club's overseas player for this season - taking over from Anupam Sanklecha - although his arrival has been delayed as he awaits his work permit and visa to be finalised.
Fast bowler Justin Clarke - a former professional Australian rules footballer - and off-spinner Saqlain Choudhary have been recruited from Oxford UCCE, while Sulaiman Hussain has moved to Cumnor,
Foster said: "I am disappointed Pam couldn't come back, but I am really excited by the overseas arriving. He seems like a really good cricketer. Hopefully he will be a really good addition.
"We have made a couple of good acquisitions. Justin will give us something we don't have, which is a bit of pace with the ball. Saq is an off-spinner. He has a bit of a niggling injury and might miss the first couple of games, but I think he will do well.
"One very notable loss is Sulai, which was a real shame. He was a very talented player for us last year and played some brilliant innings.
"I think there is a good balance to the side with a lot of all-rounders. In the shorter format that is always useful. It's always difficult going in with five bowlers. It is about getting the balance right and potentially we are spin heavy, but that is not a bad thing because I think in club cricket people often play seamers better than spinners.
"I still feel that our batting is what let us down last year. A lot of guys chipped in and got starts, but not many got big scores. I think we are probably a top-order batter and heavy run-getter off being a really good side. It will give others opportunities and hopefully they will step up."
While the 1st XI entertain Downs tomorrow, the 2nd XI, led by new captain Max Smith, are away to the Standlake-based club in Cherwell League Division 2. The 3rd XI host Great Brickhill 2nd in Division 3A with Ryan Hicks leading the side for the first time, while the 4th XI visit Wantage & Grove in Division 5C.
Posted by: Russ