Foster ecstatic to be back

James Foster © Getty Images

Buy this photo

Essex wicketkeeper James Foster is thrilled to resume his representative career after being called up for the England Lions tour of India.

Steven Davies' withdrawal with a knee injury paved the way for Foster's return, and gives him the chance to press for a recall to the senior side.

Foster, who won the last of his seven Test caps for England in the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne in 2002, will leave on January 23 for a month-long tour of India, which will see the Lions take part in the Duleep Trophy.

“I’m extremely delighted to have been selected," he told the Essex website. "Being involved with the England Lions puts players in the shop window for the full team so it’s good to be in there showing what I have to offer.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had some England recognition but I never gave up hope.

"I’ve always trained hard since then to be recognised and with Steven Davies pulling out through injury it’s nice to be next in line.

"India is a tough place to tour but I’ve been there several times before, with England and on the Graham Gooch Scholarship Scheme to Mumbai.

"People are so enthusiastic out there so I’m looking forward to getting out there and performing.”

Foster has been expanding his horizons this winter and has recently started his own coaching company.

He added: “Since the end of last season I’ve been heavily involved in my coaching company, so I’d planned my winter around that.

"Normally I would have started my training for the new season a bit earlier but with all my coaching I didn’t pick up a bat in anger until last Thursday.

"So I may be a little under-prepared at the moment but I’d rather be in this situation (going to India with the Lions) than more prepared for nothing. Looking at it positively, I will go there feeling fresh after a good break.”