James Foster took on board the philosophy of coach Graham Gooch while putting together a career-best score in Essex's drawn match against Leicestershire at Chelmsford.

"He's always stressing to batsmen they should not think their job is done once they have scored a hundred," said 24-year-old Foster. "Having reached that landmark he insists you should set your sights on a really big innings."

Foster certainly "filled his boots" against the Midlanders, making an impressive 212, after reaching his first century for the county.

Yet he revealed he did not feel in the best of nick while making his first 50. "Things weren't clicking as I wanted but everything started to fall into place afterwards," he said.

"I've worked hard on my cricket during the winter and spent some time at the Perth Academy in Australia with batting coach Wayne Andrews.

"This innings makes all the effort worthwhile and I'm really chuffed. But I won't meet with such a perfect batting strip every match."

Despite his innings, which pointed the way to a first innings lead of 198, Essex were still left searching for their first Championship triumph of the summer as Leicestershire closed on 212 for six.

Victory had beckoned in mid-afternoon when the visitors stood on 167-6 with 31 overs still remaining.

But then 38-year-old Phil DeFreitas arrived to show just what a stubborn character he can be, presenting a broad bat to most of the 78 balls he faced.

Published Monday May 24, 2004

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