Foster waits his turn

Foster is comfortable with his role as understudy

By Scott Heinrich BBC Sport Online

James Foster is a man in waiting.

He is waiting for one of England's finest ever wicketkeeper/batsmen to call it a day, a man he calls "a living legend".

Alec Stewart, the time-defying pro that he is, will make Foster wait longer than he would like - but at 22 the Essex man has time.

The irony is not lost on Foster that if he is to resume his international career, 39-year-old Stewart will probably have to succumb to injury.

  James Foster's career

Tests: 6

Dismissals: 15
14 catches, 1 stumping

Runs: 201

Average: 28.71

ODIs: 11

Dismissals: 20
14 catches, 6 stumpings)

Runs: 41

Average: 13.67

As England embarked on their most recent winter tour without a reluctant Stewart, Foster was ushered in as England's first choice 'keeper.

He subsequently came through the six Tests in India and New Zealand with a passing grade and the changing of the guard had seemed complete.

But in early summer Foster suffered a broken arm while netting - and Stewart held onto his recall with a vice-like grip.

For his efforts Stewart was awarded a 12-month contract, rendering the young upstart's likely involvement in the Ashes as peripheral.

Foster is back in the shadow, but if the reality makes him cold it does not show.

"I am not disheartened, just absolutely delighted to be picked for in the Ashes squad after a difficult summer," Foster told BBC Sport Online.

I just know that I'm going to come back a better cricketer

James Foster on the Ashes tour

"I am very aware that I am Stewie's understudy and that I'm probably not going to play much cricket.

"What can you say about Stewie? The man is literally a living legend and someone I really look up to.

"I want to learn from him, get into his head and get into his game mentally."

Despite performing fairly with the bat, Foster's glovework in the winter was far from flawless.

Dropped catches let the team down more than once, and a technical deficiency down the leg-side prompted some to question his readiness for Test cricket.

Foster's leg-side work was thought to need work

Looking back, even Foster is unsure if the timing was right.

"I don't really know if I was ready to be totally honest," Foster said.

"I have been pretty much rushed into everything from day one.

"When I got into the Essex first team I got rushed into the England A team and then I got rushed into the full side.

"I didn't have time to think about it, but of course I loved every minute of it and it gave me a real taste of Test cricket."

But then came the broken arm and a long stay on the outer. Worse still, in just his second comeback game for Essex, Foster broke his thumb and was again on the outer.

Foster voices Ashes fear

What his time off did allow was a chance to take stock for the first time in his professional career.

"I wouldn't exactly say it was a blessing in disguise but it did give me time to work on other aspects of my game.

"It made me realise that there are going to be difficult moments in your career and I think I did some growing up.

"I was able to look back on what I had done and what I had to do to get back there.

"I'm really positive about the future, both mine and England's."

Ashes dynasty

In many senses Foster embodies the new England, the generation of players that aspire to an Ashes dynasty of their own.

Unburdened by the baggage of Australia's long-time domination, Foster views the looming tour with drooling anticipation.

"These are exciting times and we are going out there to do our best to get the Ashes back.

"A tour of Australia is the ultimate for an English cricketer and I can't wait.

"Can we win? Too right," said Foster with real conviction.

It is a conviction that Australia, so proud of their mental fortitude, will hope is not contagious.