England could release Surrey keeper Ben Foakes to play his first competitive cricket of the summer this weekend.
Foakes is unlikely to break into an unchanged England squad for the final Test of the summer and so could be released line up for Surrey in the Bob Willis Trophy against Kent on Saturday.
Other fringe players like Jack Leach could also return to their counties, but England would need to keep enough cover for sub fielders and concussion replacements.
Jos Buttler is England’s preferred wicketkeeper, meaning the only cricket Foakes has played since September is a pair of warm-ups – one on the aborted tour of Sri Lanka and the other before this summer’s Tests.
Surrey, who were bowled out for 74 to lose to Hampshire on Tuesday, would welcome his return, having lost all three matches this season.
Surrey are still optimistic that the government could allow Saturday’s game to be part of the pilot scheme for the return of fans, but no decision has been made.
