The Surrey keeper will be England’s third gloveman in as many games following the injury to regular Test stumper Jonny Bairstow.

Foakes, described a year ago by Alec Stewart as the world’s best wicketkeeper, is expected to be handed the gloves ahead of Jos Buttler, who will play as a specialist batsman following a disappointing display behind the stumps during the one-day series.

Foakes, who was Bairstow’s deputy throughout last winter’s Ashes tour, is seen as the best out-and-out wicketkeeper in the squad and with so much spin likely during the first Test it looks like this has gained him selection. During Monday’s training Foakes did keeping work with Bruce French while Buttler resumed ordinary fielding practice.

While Foakes will be seen to have been selected primarily on his wicket-keeping skills – and averaged only 36 with the bat in the Championship this year – he is a high-quality batsman and seen as a good player of spin. He is likely to slot in at No.7 with Moeen Ali promoted to No.3 and Joe Denly and Ollie Pope left out.

The first Test, Ranaga Herath’s last, begins at 4.30am GMT on Tuesday.