England’s Jamie Smith is set to get a rare opportunity to keep wicket for Surrey after Ben Foakes, the county’s regular gloveman, suffered an injury while bowling.
Smith replaced Foakes as England’s first-choice wicketkeeper two years ago, but Surrey have kept their old pecking order. While Smith is a superior batsman, averaging 41.5 in Test cricket and 43.7 in the first-class game, Foakes is seen as the finest gloveman in the world.
Shortly before hands were shaken in a dull draw with Essex at the Kia Oval on Monday, Foakes bowled two overs of seam off a long run-up. With Rory Burns and Dom Sibley also having a bowl, only two of Surrey’s XI – Smith and Ollie Pope – did not roll their arm over.
But it is understood that Foakes, 33, suffered an injury in the process and faces a spell on the sidelines. A full prognosis of the injury, which is thought to be to his torso, is being sought, but Foakes will miss at least one match: Friday’s meeting with Sussex at the Kia Oval.
Surrey, who have drawn their first three matches of the season, face Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and Yorkshire at Headingley after their match against Sussex.
Smith, it would seem, will get the chance to tune up his wicketkeeping before England name their squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, which starts on June 4.
Despite a quiet game against Essex, Smith has had a superb start to the season, scoring 401 runs in five innings since putting his hand up to bat No 3. He is behind only Nottinghamshire’s Joe Clarke, who has 449, in the run-scoring charts, with another candidate to keep or bat for England, Somerset’s James Rew, in third.
d to give England wicketkeeper chance behind the stumps
Will Macpherson
Deputy Cricket Correspondent Will Macpherson
Will Macpherson covers the international and domestic game, and is based in London. See more
Published 29 April 2026 1:57pm BST
Related Topics
Surrey CCC, England Cricket Team, County Championship, Essex CCC, Somerset CCC, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
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Ben Foakes in keeping gear
Ben Foakes was one of several Surrey players given a bowl as a game against Essex meandered to a draw Credit: Stuart Leggett/Getty Images
England’s Jamie Smith is set to get a rare opportunity to keep wicket for Surrey after Ben Foakes, the county’s regular gloveman, suffered an injury while bowling.
Smith replaced Foakes as England’s first-choice wicketkeeper two years ago, but Surrey have kept their old pecking order. While Smith is a superior batsman, averaging 41.5 in Test cricket and 43.7 in the first-class game, Foakes is seen as the finest gloveman in the world.
Shortly before hands were shaken in a dull draw with Essex at the Kia Oval on Monday, Foakes bowled two overs of seam off a long run-up. With Rory Burns and Dom Sibley also having a bowl, only two of Surrey’s XI – Smith and Ollie Pope – did not roll their arm over.
But it is understood that Foakes, 33, suffered an injury in the process and faces a spell on the sidelines. A full prognosis of the injury, which is thought to be to his torso, is being sought, but Foakes will miss at least one match: Friday’s meeting with Sussex at the Kia Oval.
Surrey, who have drawn their first three matches of the season, face Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and Yorkshire at Headingley after their match against Sussex.
Smith, it would seem, will get the chance to tune up his wicketkeeping before England name their squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, which starts on June 4.
Despite a quiet game against Essex, Smith has had a superb start to the season, scoring 401 runs in five innings since putting his hand up to bat No 3. He is behind only Nottinghamshire’s Joe Clarke, who has 449, in the run-scoring charts, with another candidate to keep or bat for England, Somerset’s James Rew, in third.
After a difficult Ashes tour cast some doubt over his place in the England side, 25-year-old Smith turned down a lavish late offer from Delhi Capitals to go to the Indian Premier League shortly before the new season began. So far, it is paying off.
It is unclear if Smith will remain at No 3 when he takes the gloves, or drop down the order.
Surrey declined to comment when approached by Telegraph Sport.
Stewart: Surrey will not follow England’s lead
Speaking on a Sky Sports Cricket podcast recorded over the weekend, Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, explained the dynamic between club and country over Smith’s role.
“We haven’t had a conversation with England [this season],” he said. “Jamie Smith was picked for England when he wasn’t keeping for Surrey, so nothing has changed. He was batting No 4 for us. They have chosen to pick him as keeper and move him to No 7.
“We will do what is right for us. We want England to be a success and for all our players to play for England. That has always been the case. We have to do what is right for us. We also by the way, believe it is right for Jamie Smith to bat No 3. He’s banged out 400 runs.
“We believe he is a high-quality batsman, and he keeps wicket for England. We are not going to leave out Ben Foakes or take the gloves off Foakes when he’s one of the best keepers about, bats at No 6 and is going to be the constant because England aren’t going to pick him. Yes we will help England but it can’t be to the detriment of what we want as counties. That has always been the case.
“Some people listening will say England must come first, but we also have a job to do. We are doing what we believe is right for Surrey, but we also think we are helping England by getting Jamie Smith back and him batting at the correct Jamie Smith tempo, spending a long time in the middle, playing against the ball on pitches that may do a little bit. So wherever England play him, he’s in good form. The keeping side? We will work for hours. If he wants to work for hours here, pre-match, on training days, he can do that. But actually keeping in our side at the moment, that’s Ben Foakes.”