Patrick Foster Explained

Country:England
Fullname:Patrick John Foster
Birth Date:20 March 1987
Birth Place:Nairobi, Kenya
Batting:Right-handed
Bowling:Right-arm medium-fast
Club1:Durham UCCE
Year1:2007 - 2009
Club2:Oxfordshire
Year2:2013
Columns:1
Column1:First-class
Matches1:9
Runs1:97
Bat Avg1:6.92
100S/50S1:–/–
Top Score1:24
Deliveries1:1,403
Wickets1:24
Bowl Avg1:32.20
Fivefor1:
Tenfor1:
Best Bowling1:4/26
Catches/Stumpings1:6/–
Date:23 June
Year:2019
Source:http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/253979.html Cricinfo

Patrick John Foster (born 20 March 1987) is a Kenyan-born English former first-class cricketer.

Foster was born at Nairobi in March 1987, spending the first six years of his life living in the Rift Valley town of Gilgil. His parents ran the independent Pembroke House School.[1] His parents returned to England when he was six, with Foster attending Oundle School.[1] From there he went to Durham University, where he studied social sciences.[1] While at Durham he made his debut in first-class cricket for Durham UCCE against Nottinghamshire at Durham in 2007. He played first-class cricket for Durham UCCE until 2009, having made a total of nine first-class appearances.[2] He scored 97 runs in his nine matches, with a high score of 24.[3] With his right-arm medium-fast bowling, he took 24 wickets at an average of 32.20, with best figures of 4 for 26.[4] He later played minor counties cricket for Oxfordshire, making one appearance against Cornwall in the 2013 MCCA Knockout Trophy.[5]

Following his graduation Foster found work in the City of London, where he developed a severe gambling addiction.[1] [6] Having borrowed money and reached desperation, he attempted to win back all his losses by staking £50,000 on a single horse - "when it lost, he accepted his life was over".[7] His addiction led to him contemplating suicide. With help from the Professional Cricketers' Association he was able to stop his addiction.[6] He now works to raise awareness about gambling addictions.[6] He is an ambassador for the Mintridge Foundation, which seeks to promote an active lifestyle for children and young people.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Patrick Foster . www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk . 2019-06-23.
  2. Web site: First-Class Matches played by Patrick Foster . CricketArchive . 2019-06-23 . subscription.
  3. Web site: First-class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Patrick Foster . CricketArchive . 2019-06-23 . subscription.
  4. Web site: First-class Bowling For Each Team by Patrick Foster . CricketArchive . 2019-06-23 . subscription.
  5. Web site: Minor Counties Trophy Matches played by Patrick Foster . CricketArchive . 2019-06-23 . subscription.
  6. Web site: Foster speaks out on gambling addiction . . 2019-01-24 . 2019-06-23.
  7. News: Cheltenham Festival: 'I gambled £50,000 on a horse and lost everything' . BBC News . 17 March 2021 .