CHELMSFORD (England), May 4: Veteran England wicket-keeper Alec Stewart could be in the frame for a surprise recall after Jamie Foster, the man who displaced him, broke his arm while batting in the nets Saturday.

Foster is expected to miss at least the first two games of the three-Test series against Sri Lanka after breaking his left forearm while practising with his Essex team mates at Chelmsford.

An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman said: “He broke his left forearm while batting in the nets — it’s a stable break and he is expected to be out for four weeks.”

The first Test is scheduled to start on May 16 at Lord’s.

The 22-year-old Foster won his first cap against India in December after Stewart, 17 years his senior, opted not to tour.

Stewart last played for England against Australia in August, 2001 at The Oval. His decision to stay at home over the English winter led to speculation that his 115-Test career could be over as England looked to younger players.

But question marks arose over Foster’s own credentials in India and New Zealand.

Despite that, he won the backing of the selectors and was awarded a central contract for the coming home Test series against Sri Lanka and India.

England captain Nasser Hussain said last month that Foster had shown his fighting qualities on tour but suggested Stewart, who began his career as a specialist batsman, could still be considered for next year’s World Cup.

Lancashire’s Warren Hegg, Foster’s understudy on tour, is likely to be Stewart’s closest rival for the Test berth against Sri Lanka.

But age is not on his side either. He is 34 and has won just two England caps.—Reuters