Zak Foulkes assumes supersub role as Black Caps close on test and series win over England
Monday, 29 June 2026
Zak Foulkes’ main job this week was meant to be as drinks waiter.
Left out of the Black Caps XI for the final test against England - despite Matt Henry being injured and Kyle Jamieson injured - Foulkes was set to do 12th man duties between putting his feet up in the pavilion at Trent Bridge.
Instead, the 24-year-old is playing his part in what he and his team-mates hope will be a memorable test-series win on the final day of the third test in Nottingham.
Foulkes took three wickets in a breathtaking end to day four on Monday morning (NZ time), including that of home team captain Ben Stokes in his final test, after announcing his international retirement during the day.
He also played his part with the bat, lasting four 41 balls in making six and giving Daryl Mitchell essential support on his way to an unbeaten century which consolidated NZ’s advantage.
Foulkes’ introduction to the test came on day two, when called upon to substitute fellow quick bowler Blair Tickner, who bowed out with concussion after bowling three overs before fully feeling the effects of being struck on the helmet when batting earlier in the day by a bouncer from Jofra Archer.
He made a significant impact, producing two tremendous deliveries to get rid of Stokes and his vice-captain Harry Brook, and finished England’s innings with the wicket of Josh Tongue.
Foulkes had played in the one-off test win over Ireland last month, but since has been relegated to carrying the drinks, bowling in the nets and hitting the gym, with Henry, Jamieson, Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith ahead of him in the pecking order.
Ben Sears and Tickner had also usurped him in the selection stakes until yet another unfortunate blow for the latter, who dislocated his shoulder in the first test against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve last December while fielding after having taken test career-best figures of 4-32.
Capable of delivering big late inswingers to right-handed batters, Foulkes made a sensational test debut in Zimbabwe last year, returning match figures of 9 for 75 - a record in a first test appearance for a New Zealand bowler - after O'Rourke and Smith had picked up injuries in the first match of the two-test series.
When Henry and Smith were ruled out of the side for the three tests versus the Windies, Foulkes played each match and struggled to make an impact in the latter two games after being required to bowl 51 overs in the opening test at Hagley Oval.