FRINTON Cricket Club coach Tony Stubbs believes it would be "madness" to drop new England hero Ben Foakes for this week's second Test in Sri Lanka.

Colchester-born Foakes hit a stunning century and was tidy with the gloves, having been given his long-awaited chance as wicketkeeper in the absence of the injured Jonny Bairstow.

The latter is now fit for the second Test, which is due to get under way in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

However, Stubbs, who coached Foakes from the age of six, believes the former Tendring Technology College student did more than enough to earn a second crack of the whip in Kandy.

"I can't begin to tell you how proud I was of Ben's performance," he told the Gazette.

"He showed the talent, temperament and mindset of a top-class player and it would be ridiculous if he were dropped for the second Test.

"It would be madness.

"Ben was incredible and no-one could have scripted his debut any better.

"He's always had the ability to play at the top level.

"The big question was whether he would be given the opportunity.

"It's a shame it took an injury for him to get that chance but having performed so well, he has to keep his place.

"You can't have someone that talented not playing and in my opinion he deserves to keep the gloves for many, many years.

"There's a freshness and vibrancy within this England side that's been lacking for a while and it's great to see lads like Ben, Ollie Pope, Jack Leach and Sam Curran starring.

"Together, they can take the side forward."

Foakes scored 107 in the first innings and helped get England to a competitive total, having been teetering at 103 for five.

He was the 20th batsman for England to score a century on debut in Tests, the second English wicketkeeper to do so after Matt Prior and the fifth keeper-batsman overall.

Stubbs has been in touch with him by text message and says the 25-year-old's success was a proud moment for the town of Frinton.

"Everyone enjoyed it and was talking about it," he said.

"Many people have asked me how I feel and while I'm certainly very proud, it's all been about Ben.

"It's down to him, rather than me.

"He has such natural talent but is also very calm.

"Nothing fazes him and he won't get carried away.

"He won't change and there's no chance of him forgetting his roots.

"From my point of view, I just feel blessed that he came into my life and that I was able to play some part in his introduction to cricket."