Published: 26th April, 2019

Ben Foakes has been called into England’s squad for their upcoming ODI against Ireland and IT20 with Pakistan to replace the injured Sam Billings.

Foakes impressed in his five Test matches with England in Sri Lanka and the West Indies during the winter but is yet to feature in any white ball cricket for the senior England side.

He is now in contention to face Ireland in Dublin on Friday 3rd May and then in a one-off Vitality IT20 against Pakistan at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on the 5th. He joins fellow Surrey men Jason Roy, Tom Curran and Liam Plunkett in the group.

This selection means he will now be unavailable for Surrey’s Royal London One-Day Cup fixture with Kent on Thursday 2nd May but remains available to face Glamorgan and Hampshire on Sunday & Tuesday respectively.

The 26-year-old wicket keeper has been a shining light in Surrey’s 50-over campaign so far this year, surpassing 50 in three of his four innings and impressing with the gloves.

Since arriving at the Club in 2015, Foakes has scored 1466 List A runs in 34 innings at an average of 52.35 as well as claiming 54 catches and five stumpings.