After finally breaking this partnership, England were able to clean up the tail relatively quickly - with Chris Tremlett claiming five wickets in the innings - but they still faced a daunting 391 for victory.

BBC: Ashes: England must regroup, says Graham Gooch

Yet a sequence of events, that has included the international retirement of Aston Villa's Emile Heskey and Fulham striker Bobby Zamora breaking his leg, has presented the Sheffield-born forward with the chance of becoming England's oldest debutant since Arsenal's Leslie Compton played at the age of 38 back in 1950.

BBC: Davies call-up long time in the making

The former Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers and England B striker took the Spytty Park club into the Blue Square Premier with a record-breaking season.

BBC: Manager Dean Holdsworth signs new Newport County deal

Before breaking his arm in a freak practice accident in 2002, Foster had laid claim to a regular England place with solid performances against New Zealand and India.

BBC: Foster plays down England chances