Patrick John Foster (born 20 March 1987) is a

Kenyan ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

-born English former first-class

cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...

er. 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. His parents returned to England when he was six, with Foster attending Oundle School. From there he went to

Durham University , mottoeng = Her foundations are upon the holy hills (Psalm 87:1) , established = (university status) , type = Public , academic_staff = 1,830 (2020) , administrative_staff = 2,640 (2018/19) , chancellor = Sir Thomas Allen , vice_chan ...

, where he studied social sciences. While at Durham he made his debut in first-class cricket for

Durham UCCE Durham MCC University (previously known as Durham University Centre of Cricketing Excellence) is a cricket coaching centre based at Durham University in Durham, County Durham, England, and the name under which the university's cricket team plays ...

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. He scored 97 runs in his nine matches, with a high score of 24. With his right-arm medium-fast bowling, he took 24 wickets at an average of 32.20, with best figures of 4 for 26. He later played

minor counties cricket The National Counties, known as the Minor Counties before 2020, are the cricketing counties of England and Wales that do not have first-class status. The game is administered by the National Counties Cricket Association (NCCA), which comes un ...

for

Oxfordshire Oxfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the north west of South East England. It is a mainly rural county, with its largest settlement being the city of Oxford. The county is a centre of research and development, primarily ...

, making one appearance against Cornwall in the 2013 MCCA Knockout Trophy. Following his graduation Foster found work in the City of London, where he developed a severe

gambling addiction Problem gambling or ludomania is repetitive gambling behavior despite harm and negative consequences. Problem gambling may be diagnosed as a mental disorder according to ''DSM-5'' if certain diagnostic criteria are met. Pathological gambling is ...

. 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". His addiction led to him contemplating suicide. With help from the

Professional Cricketers' Association The Professional Cricketers' Association is the representative body of past and present first-class cricketers in England and Wales, founded in 1967 by former England fast bowler Fred Rumsey (when it was known as the Cricketers' Association). In ...

he was able to stop his addiction. He now works to raise awareness about gambling addictions. He is an ambassador for the Mintridge Foundation, which seeks to promote an active lifestyle for children and young people.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Patrick 1987 births Living people Cricketers from Nairobi People educated at Oundle School Alumni of Durham University English cricketers Durham MCCU cricketers Oxfordshire cricketers