MCC v Durham 311-4 (day three, stumps)
Match scorecard
 Foster won the Friends Provident Trophy with Essex last season |
Essex's James Foster is refusing to get carried away by his recent inclusion in England's World Twenty20 and performance squads. The wicketkeeper, currently playing for the MCC in their rain-blighted match against Durham, said he was not anticipating an international return. "It was a pleasant surprise. I really had no idea that these squads were being announced," he said. "Having said that I'm fully aware it doesn't mean I will play for England." The last of Foster's seven Test appearances for England came in the Ashes Boxing Day Test of 2002 and there has been an increasing clamour for him to be given another chance behind the stumps.  | 606: DEBATE |
Matt Prior, Tim Ambrose and Steve Davies have all pulled on the gloves for England this winter, but Foster does have the advantage of having played with acting coach Andy Flower, a former wicketkeeper for Zimbabwe, at Essex. "I learnt a lot from him, but if he does become England coach there are plenty of other wicketkeepers out there," Foster said. "There are two other guys in the squads, yes I know Andy but that means nothing. "I have a lot of hard work ahead of me if I want to play for England again." Before breaking his arm in a freak practice accident in 2002, Foster had laid claim to a regular England place with solid performances against New Zealand and India. Despite being included in just one full squad between then and this winter, the 28-year-old says he has been in periodic contact with England selectors. "I've had chats with selectors over a few years. Them phoning me and a couple of times me phoning them just interested to know what the vibe is," he said. "They've always been very positive when they have spoken to me. They have always given me direction, which is what you want when you have those chats." Foster and the rest of his MCC teammates, including Test hopefuls Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell, will be hoping for better weather on the final day at Lord's, with only 89 overs bowled so far.
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